I've got a street 454 and I need a bigger exhaust. Is there a big flow difference between the 2.5" mandrel bent systems and a 2.5" system I can have bent at the local muffler shops?

If Flowmaster would sell their kits with the 50 series mufflers I'd be set, or even without the mufflers that would be perfect too but I don't want the 40 series, even if they are deltas. For me, they're just too loud.

Also, I don't want to plunk down $300 bucks for just the pipes like from TA Performance or Torque Tech. Soooo, the question is, does anyone know if there's that big of a flow difference between mandrel bent and non-mandrel bent pipes?

Or, if someone's thinking of purchasing the Flowmaster Deltaflow 40 series, let me know and I'll buy their system and sell you the mufflers. Jon

If you have a shop do em make sure they do it right. I had a shop mandrel bend mine but he did a half *** job and left the tubes too close to the tires. Sure it fits with 215-65-15's but I wasn't planning on keeping these tires forever! Then he has the gall to say he wants $120 to redo 2 new tailpipes.

Look around some muffler place should be able to mandrel bend stuff.

It makes a big difference. I have seen non-mandrel bent tubes pushed down to about half their normal size. Not good for flow.

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Mark

1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed (Soon to be LT1)
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
"Speed KILLS, so drive a FORD and live forever!"
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/

Member of the "unwanted" 3rd Gen group.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I think I'll call Summit today and order the Flowmaster kit and then put the mufflers up for sale on ebay.

I've seen the Flowmaster kit installed on another Camaro and it is pretty sweet!!! I don't know why they're so cheap compared to the other places selling the mandrel exhausts (without the mufflers!). I'm not complaining, mind you, just curious.

Thanks for the comments guys.

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'69 Restification

They are cheaper because the die is already setup and they just put the pipe in and it is bent automatically. When you have it done, you are paying for the labor.

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Mark

1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed (Soon to be LT1)
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
"Speed KILLS, so drive a FORD and live forever!"
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/

Member of the "unwanted" 3rd Gen group.

Ahhh yes...economies of scale and all that. Makes sense...thanks Mark

I have mandrel bent flowmaster system in my car right now. I installed it about 2 months ago. very good quality.

A good muffler shop wanted $400 to make a system for the car with 40s and it would not have been mandrel bent.

Definitely get the kit.
Tim

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ratchetmaster
1968 RS SS 350
1968 RS pro street project
1972 454 ElCamino
1999 Firebird WS-6 T/A
moderator http://www.gmforums.com

How well does the kit fit and go over the axel? Where does do the tail pipe exit? Anyone using the crossflow kit? Anyone using the regular Muffler kit. How do you like the sound and ground clearance of your particular kit?

I got a complete 2.5" mandrel bent system with 2 chamber Flowmasters and a crossover pipe with Chrome tips too for 330$ on my 64 Nova. It looks great and sounds great.

Hey Joe - the Flowmaster system I saw on a friend's '67 fit factory perfect with the exhausts exiting in the stock locations. I ordered mine on Thursday so it should come on Monday - I'll let ya know how easy it goes on.

One note - I ordered the kit for the 67-68 instead of for the '69 (which I have) because the only difference is the '69 kit costs $60 bucks more and includes the chrome tips which I can do without. Jon