I'm exhausted with researching Gibson vs FlowMaster 44 vs 50

[jediwebdude]

** UPDATE **
See post #18 to see how this ends and my comparison.

I have a V8 '07. I currently have the Gibson Catback installed. No resonators. The sleeved attachment w/ U bracket system provided by Gibson doesn't work when off-roading (everything keeps coming apart). So I was going to have the sleeved pieces welded together tomorrow.

But I'm not exactly pleased with the Gibson. In low idle/RPMs, it sounds great. When traveling at highway speeds, the drone is very tolerable. My problem is when I hit high RPMs, the sound is replaced by a horrible WOOSH sound. So I want something that handles high RPMs better.

Talked with the muffler shop today that will be doing the work. They carry the FlowMaster 40, 50, and 70 series mufflers. I realize the 70 would be too quiet, so it is not in consideration.

So my question is this: I realize the 40 is louder than the Gibson. What about the 50? Louder or quieter than the Gibson?

Yes, yes, yes...I've searched. Those of you who want to direct me to LMGTFY, don't bother. I've watched many videos to try to answer my question, but to no avail. People use different cameras with a wide range of audio capture electronics, placed at different distances, in different wind conditions, etc...so a true comparison cannot be achieved via online listening. A ballpark estimate can, but not a solid conclusion.

I am hoping someone on here has actually heard these in-person...live...and noted the difference.

I will record the Gibson tonight using HD DSLR with external mic, and whatever I end up with tomorrow using same equipment in same position. Thus, I can provide benefit to someone in the future. For now, I need to benefit.

 

[oljedi11950]

super 70

I'm sure you've gone on flowmasters website ? My buck nickel says 50 or 70 !! I've got the 70 on my v6 & its pretty aggressive sounding , but that said the delta 50 is for the big suvs . Had the 40 on the oltaco way to ricey for v6 had to put a cherry bomb on it !! Jeez what a hassle huh ? I like the 70 because it fit right n 2 little snips it was n . Very pleased so far just saying !!

 

[jediwebdude]

Yes, went to their website.

I do plan to have the muffler guys listen to the Gibson. Hopefully they can tell me if the 50 is louder. If not, then how much louder they think the 44 is. 70 would be too quiet. Again, I'm happy with the volume of the Gibson, just not with the high RPM performance.

 

[oljedi11950]

super 70

Yes I had the gibson on the taco before all the other flowmasters , it has a certain buzz for lack of a better word . If what your wanting is a little more rumble delta 50 , but not wake the neighbors up n the morning !

 

[pelle047]

i have the 40 series on my v8, i love it! it sounds aggressive through the entire power band. exhaughst sounds much better when coupled with an intake as well

 

[Nathana92]

I have a Magnaflow on my 03 V8 and the sound is great. I have it dumped in front of the rear axle and there's no drone at highway speeds and it's not too loud at lower speeds.

On my Dad's 05 V8 we went with the Flowmaster 40 series, also dumped in front of the rear axle. Let me say that it's much louder than the Magnaflow. The tone has a bit more rasp under WOT and rumbles a bit more even after you let off. Honestly I don't know which I prefer they both sound great, but the Flowmaster sounds a bit meaner.

 

[alex56]

I'm running a cat back set up with the flowmaster 50 SUV and its the best choice IMO to get a v8 sound out of a v6... Everything else just sounds funny on a v6 IMO, but to each his own

 

[NJshadow93]

I love my Gibson. I think it's perfect throughout the entire RPM range.

 

[jaybird93000]

i had the flowmaster 50 on my Nissan Frontier which is a higher revving engine. I personally liked the sound of it, and from what i've heard out of the Gibson, it seems to be very comparable. I would go for the 40, as I was also slightly unimpressed by the tunerish sound the 50 gave off when i mashed the pedal.
My good buddy has an 04 Z71 tahoe with the flow 40s, and they're very deep and smooth, i love it.

My exhaust guy clamped 3 different ones so i could hear a rough comparison, maybe yours would be open to that?

So in conclusion, I believe the 40 would sound great on yours.

 

[coconutpete]

I'm running a cat back set up with the flowmaster 50 SUV and its the best choice IMO to get a v8 sound out of a v6... Everything else just sounds funny on a v6 IMO, but to each his own

I've been out of the flowmaster game for a while, but I ran teh 50SUV on my Jeep with the V8 and OH GOD do I miss that sound. Not loud, but rumbly and if you shut off the OD and accelerated through an intersection you could tell everyone was looking for the Camaro or the Mustang.

 

[ridefast]

Have you considered a dynomax super turbo.

 

[jediwebdude]

My exhaust guy clamped 3 different ones so i could hear a rough comparison, maybe yours would be open to that?

Great idea! I'll see if he'll do it.

 

[jediwebdude]

i have the 40 series on my v8, i love it! it sounds aggressive through the entire power band. exhaughst sounds much better when coupled with an intake as well

How is the drone inside the vehicle? Can you hear your audio system okay?

 

[jediwebdude]

I love my Gibson. I think it's perfect throughout the entire RPM range.

You don't get the "woosh" sound at higher RPMs?

 

[NJshadow93]

You don't get the "woosh" sound at higher RPMs?

I don't really notice that. It sounds pretty aggressive IMO. I don't really floor it that much either, but when I do I never thought it sounded bad.

 

[crashman]

I have a manga flow on mine I love the sound however I rerouted the exhaust out the side now I can hear the woosh or air sound at full throttle now
I thought it was just my truck lol

 

[ChaosStarter]

You don't get the "woosh" sound at higher RPMs?

Definately have a 'whoosh' with mine.

 

[jediwebdude]

** update **

** U P D A T E **

I ended up going with the FlowMaster 50. Decided against the 40 series mainly because we do take family trips in it on occasion and I didn't want the drone to bother everyone. If the 4Runner was strictly for off-roading and nearby driving, I'd gone with the 40. My other concern is when I am off-roading and am in really challenging stuff, I want to be able to hear what the spotter and other observers are telling me. Would hate to roll the truck because I couldn't hear all the people yelling at me to stop/turn/bump.

I'll post comparo vids on the exhaust video thread in a few days.

So here's what I can tell you about the diff between the Gibson and the FlowMaster 50:

1000 RPM (idle and in gear) - sitting inside vehicle
Gibson can be heard - great gurgle sound
FlowMaster cannot be heard

1000 RPM (idle and in gear) - standing next to vehicle
Gibson is louder than FlowMaster
FlowMaster can be heard, but nothing spectacular

2000 RPM (accelerating) - sitting inside vehicle
Gibson has a nice sound
FlowMaster has a nice sound and is a bit louder than Gibson

3000 RPM - sitting inside vehicle
Gibson has good gurgle sound, but is starting to get woosh sound
FlowMaster sounds more like a hotrod and is louder than Gibson

4000 RPM - sitting inside vehicle
Gibson sound is lost because it is drowned out by the woosh sound
FlowMaster maintains a nice loud gurgle sound

The muffler guy explained that the Gibson uses fiberglass, which is great for low sound, but not so great when there is a high flow of exhaust.

What I wish I could do is similar to Captain's Call for V8 boats: flip a switch. Then I could have the 40 series for daily driving and trails, but switch off the sound when doing technical off-roading and roadtrips.

Am I happier? Because the woosh sound is gone, yes. Wish I could have the low idle sound of the Gibson, the high idle sound of the 40, and the highway sound of the 50.

 

[pelle047]

How is the drone inside the vehicle? Can you hear your audio system okay?

The drone isnt horrible. at interstate speed it can be loud when climbing a hill but the stock jbl set at a reasonable 25 can be heard clearly.

 

[Casper421]

What I wish I could do is similar to Captain's Call for V8 boats: flip a switch. Then I could have the 40 series for daily driving and trails, but switch off the sound when doing technical off-roading and roadtrips.

I did something similar on my lifted Titan; put a blind flange on so I could have either my flowmaster 50's or straight pipes. Best part was that the outlet was right under the front passenger door at car level so when I downshifted, traffic got an ear full!