Flowmaster vs. Pypes

[DaleM]

Looking to replace the exhaust on my 67 El Camino small block going back to factory exhaust manifolds and exhaust from either Flowmaster or Pypes.

I've had the Flowmaster H-pipe setup on a BBC car with 40 series mufflers & headers and it had a nice sound without being overly loud. Comparing the American Thunder kit from Flowmaster to the X-pipe (X-Change) setup from Pypes shows about a $40 difference when one tosses in the manual cutout added to the Flowmaster setup that's included with the Pypes X-pipe system and Street Pro (standard) mufflers.

Strickly a street/everyday type car and not a racer by any means. With the cutouts open (future plans call for electric units) the exhaust seems to have a straighter flow with the Pypes unit when cutouts are open but may be restrictive when closed. Any thoughts?


132

Anyone had experience with Pypes equipment before? I'm looking at the SGA10 setup that's advertised as 409 stainless, not the SGA10SS polished 304 setup.

[PxTx]

A guy I know tried to order a Flowmaster kit this past spring and it was backorderd. He has a 72 ElCamino. I told him about Pypes who is just a few towns away and he was able to pick up a system.

I've got a Flowmaster kit on mine I put on about 1993 or so. Between the two, I think the flowmaster sounds better. We both had similar impressions on how well they were made and how easy they were to fit on the car.

I don't think you would be unhappy with either one, but the exhaust cut-out part is a gimick to me. SS is heavy and if running uncorked is that important to you to get every HP out, well I think the lack of weight from removing the exhaust system completely is the way to go. If you just want to make a bunch of noise, sure it's kinda cool.

If I had it to do over again, I would use a V-band setup between my tailpipes and mufflers so that I could remove the exahst easily. For some reason Muscle Car guys don't use them much, but they are all of the rage on Turbo exhast.

http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/images/VBC_C3_C35.jpg


http://amsperformance.com/amsperformanceimages/5/AMS%20Performance-EVO%20X%20twin%20tip%20cat-back%20exhaust005.jpg

[LS_5]

I've got a Pypes X pipe with their Race Pro mufflers. I like them alot. Quiet while cruising with no cabin drone. At wot, however, it makes a statement! :biggrin:

[DaleM]

I see the V-band setup at mandrel-bends.com that includes 2 v-band rings and v-band clamp. How's that work exactly? Are they used to simply clamp the muffler to tail pipe in lieu of welding the tail pipes to the muffler? Never seen them before. Looks like the two rings are welded to the muffler and tail pipe then the band itself is used similar to a typical exhaust clamp to clamp the two together. If that's the case, I assume the muffler and pipe must be properly aligned before the welding is done or they'd never seal. Correct?

[Postsedan]

Paul,

I really like the V-Bands. As long as I`m not building a concourse restoration, I would have no problem putting them on a car. I`m gonna try them on my 1970 Buick Post Sedan.

Dan.

[BillsCamino]

Dale,
We've installed a couple Pypes systems...all systems were with the Race Pro mufflers and an X pipe.
Been very satified with the results.
As Andy mentioned the Race Pro mufflers are pretty quiet at cruising speeds but WOT rocks. :yes:
Never have used the band clamps...always just tig welded the joints.

[DaleM]

There is no difference in price between either system with the Street Pro vs. Race Pro mufflers. Although the sound rating on both are shown at 7 (on a scale from 1 to 10) there's a callout on the Race Pro muffler saying it's "...our Quietest Muffler..." Engine is pretty much stock except for Edelbrock intake & carb and I'd like a little aggresive sound at WOT but livable the rest of the time. Just don't want it so quiet I can't hear it but not like it's running Thrush glass-packs either. :nono:

It'd be impossible to gauge without testing each on the car which isn't practical. I'll probably go with the Race Pros then and see what happens. They also show 2 different lengths of the Race Pros, 14" and 18" - $20 difference at Summit; 14" or 18" you think for my situation?

[Xtreme70SS396]

Dale,

I put the Pypes 2.5" ceramic coated, with X pipe and Street Pro mufflers on my car when I had the 402.

The quality is excellent, you won't be disappointed there. Fit was very good, particularly with one piece tailpipes.

I used stainless band clamps, available from Pypes or Summit (check price), they are not quite the same as those V clamps but work the same - no need to weld, just use the clamps. It's nice to be able to take things apart later, and the band clamps are a little more forgiving, too. Put a little silicone around as well as the stuff that comes with them.

I took Flowmasters off the car at that time because of the drone when cruising. Despite liking the sound of Flowmasters, it gets to you after a short time. The Street Pro's are a notch quieter than Flowmasters, with NO DRONE! (I used the 18" setup). However - be warned the sound is not quite the same when you're on the accelerator pedal, it's a bit more aggressive than Flowmasters. But at idle and when steady cruising, they are good. The Race Pro's are quieter for some reason, can't explain that one, but they also flow more. I've changed to Magnaflows because my current setup flows too much volume for the street pro's to handle.

[PxTx]

I wish I could find a decent animation, but this kinda helps.

http://d5otzd52uv6zz.cloudfront.net/03c71a6f-6b2c-4abf-b977-a76555bebbe7-350.jpg

You can basically install the complete clamp onto the muffler, weld it on, then wld the tail pipe to it. It now enables you to seperate the two halves of the clamp quickly and yet reassemble as frequently as you want, without anything wearing out or leaking.


I see the V-band setup at mandrel-bends.com that includes 2 v-band rings and v-band clamp. How's that work exactly? Are they used to simply clamp the muffler to tail pipe in lieu of welding the tail pipes to the muffler? Never seen them before. Looks like the two rings are welded to the muffler and tail pipe then the band itself is used similar to a typical exhaust clamp to clamp the two together. If that's the case, I assume the muffler and pipe must be properly aligned before the welding is done or they'd never seal. Correct?

[69 Post Sedan]

I am goona throw this out there....I love my 2 1/2"Magnaflow. It sounds and breaths great. :yes:

[BillsCamino]

There is no difference in price between either system with the Street Pro vs. Race Pro mufflers. Although the sound rating on both are shown at 7 (on a scale from 1 to 10) there's a callout on the Race Pro muffler saying it's "...our Quietest Muffler..." Engine is pretty much stock except for Edelbrock intake & carb and I'd like a little aggresive sound at WOT but livable the rest of the time. Just don't want it so quiet I can't hear it but not like it's running Thrush glass-packs either. :nono:

It'd be impossible to gauge without testing each on the car which isn't practical. I'll probably go with the Race Pros then and see what happens. They also show 2 different lengths of the Race Pros, 14" and 18" - $20 difference at Summit; 14" or 18" you think for my situation?

Dale,
I'm thinking you've got about the same idea in mind for what you're wanting the exhaust to sound like that I do for my cars.
I think you'll be pleased with the Race Pros.
I run the 14" but if the 18" will fit your application go for it.
Don't forget to use the Summit discount code... :)

[LS_5]

........Just don't want it so quiet I can't hear it but not like it's running Thrush glass-packs either. :nono:.....

Dale

They're quiet at idle and while cruising by performance muffler standards - but will never be confused with Gardner exhaust mufflers !:biggrin:

[LS_5]

Here's a video of a dyno run. I've posted this on TC a few times, so if you've seen it before, I apologize. This is with a full 3" exhaust, including OEM style tips and electric cut-outs. The first pull is with the cut-outs closed and everything flowing through the Race Pros. The second pull is with the cut-outs open. These are 14" offset race pros. Son Mike is driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn57BHqDmlw

Hope this works. This is the first time I've tried posting a You Tube video here.

[JerryA]

I have been looking at new exhaust also. Since I am building a 496 for the Beaumont I have to step up to 3" I think. I have the 2 1/2 now with a x pipe. I had the h pipe before, and to be honest, I like the sound of the h pipe better. I have been looking on line at the Torque Tech exhaust systems, anyone tried them? Sorry for hijacking your thread Dale.

[langss]

Clamps like that are used extensively in Aircraft Ducting.I would have to think they would work really well and last a long time on a car.I'm sure they are not inexpensive however.