Suggestions For Muffler Trial

[ProModMike]

Can anyone suggest a couple Magnaflows? So far I only have the 12229/14229 on my radar. With a fairly strong understanding of sound resonance, flow regimes and all that jazz, I looked into the flow mechanics of the GM Borla system and there IS significant effect from relocating the "flapper valve" upstream of the muffler. The stock muffler is actually fairly free flowing however, it creates turbulent or "dirty" flow downstream which the flapper valve helps to smooth out and is cleaned up by the resonator. Now, from what I can tell, and I used software that certainly wasn't designed for this application, but still similar, having the flapper valve upstream of an even MORE free flowing system helps to smooth the flow and control the velocity BEFORE it has a chance to become turbulent and create vibration, which in turn creates unwanted noise. Hence why Dynomax attempted to create a similar effect inside their VT muffler. I think I'm going to try an oval Magnaflow WITHOUT the resonator but moving the flapper valve upstream of the muffler. My goal is mimic the outcome of the GM Borla system. I want noise when I'm to the wood, wanna hear it idle, but don't want to hear a steady subwoofer racket on the freeway. I'm not overly worried about V4 mode as my truck is lifted 7" on 35's and, well, pretty much never sees V4 as a result. If anyone would like to suggest a Magnaflow that would be best, I'll give it a try and report back and try and use instrumentation during a video to produce real, measurable outcomes. I will be installing V-band flanges up and downstream of the muffler so I can install different mufflers to experiment. This venture will be subsidized by a local outfitter who wishes to be able to better tailor what its customers get. Meaning, they get a LOT of guys/gals coming through their doors every day asking for the same things as many of you, myself included, but don't want to shell out $1k+ for a catback system. So, we're going to try these theories out with about 4-5 different mufflers and record the results on video as well as with sound metering equipment for some unbiased results. We will be attempting this on a 5.3 truck as well as my 6.2.

[Willshire]

So you don't think zoomies will fit the bill Mike? Lol. Why not try them all? "provide sound bites to customers and say pick your note!" heck for chits and grins throw a glasspack on! lol. i have the gm borla system on mine and although it is not super loud it very acceptable in the vibration/drone/disrupted sound wave department. Perhaps Borla makes just this muffler instead of the whole system. Thanks for doing the R&D on best sounding exhaust. If you want noise complaints from your neighbors may i suggest a flowmaster 40. Hahaha!

[ProModMike]

No no. No rocker panel exit exhaust on this one, that's reserved for the race car. I'm certainly not the product provider, but just a test mule. The provider has indicated that they just want to narrow it down to the Magnaflow product line for now. It's easy to make one sound like it wants to suck the lines off the pavement, but much more difficult to find that balance between "I drive a man truck with a V8" and "bro, listen to my truck". We're trying to recreate the results of the Borla system you have, if possible, with the Magnaflows for now. We have a truck that has the same system you have, already installed for a baseline comparison. We've already measured and recorded the exact same data points from that GM Borla system that we intend to collect from the trials, so a side by side comparison will be available at a glance. The key, from what we have hypothesized, is that the Borla system isn't all that unique from anything else except the muffler isn't very loud and the flapper valve is relocated to upstream. So based on the modeling we've done, we SHOULD be able to produce a controlled and manageable sound range by mimicking this configuration. Key word being SHOULD, lol. Now, I nor the provider will claim to know more than the companies who build these systems and mufflers, nor do we have any resources they don't. We're just going to try something maybe nobody else cares to is all.

[Txjose]

I would suggest the Borla....XR1 and the ProXS

 

Im curious about those.

[Willshire]

I think it is commendable what you are doing. A lot of buyers remorse on exhaust systems i am sure. if Magnaflow baffling is similar in design to Borla and similar in length, i don't see it being very difficult to mimic the Borla sound. But, i have been wrong once before!

 

 

What about the 12288/14288 for the 5.3 gas? 2.5" exit

[ProModMike]

I would suggest the Borla....XR1 and the ProXS

 

Im curious about those.

We have a ProXS slotted to be tried, actually. It came off of one of my street cars. On that vehicle, which has a 434sbc in it with a very large cam, headers and of course no cats, it was VERY loud. A whole different ballgame on one of these new trucks though, I would suspect. So stay tuned and you'll get to see some video and data for at least the ProXS.

[ProModMike]

I think it is commendable what you are doing. A lot of buyers remorse on exhaust systems i am sure. if Magnaflow baffling is similar in design to Borla and similar in length, i don't see it being very difficult to mimic the Borla sound. But, i have been wrong once before!

And all of us involved have been one of those with the buyer's remorse at one point, so we're just gonna try and be better informed consumers and possibly pass on some helpful info.

[Willshire]

12588/14588? a little different at 22" long vs 18"

[ProModMike]

The 12229/14229 are both 14", correct? So we're almost for sure going to try the 22". We're also considering trying some of the round and race mufflers. On a cat'd system, they've actually turned out fairly quiet in the past.

[Txjose]

This is going to be awesome..... I cant wait for the videos!!!

[Willshire]

12288/14288 for the 5.3 gas 3" in/ 2 x2.5" exit

 

This is MF's silvy/sierra muffler at 18"

[ProModMike]

This is going to be awesome..... I cant wait for the videos!!!

I promise not to disappoint!!!! The ProXS will likely be first in the batting order since we already have it. The rest will get ordered this week. So if I had to guess, I'd keep your eyes peeled for the ProXS video and data either this weekend or Monday.

[ProModMike]

12288/14288 for the 5.3 gas 3" in/ 2 x2.5" exit

 

This is MF's silvy/sierra muffler at 18"

Roger that. We've got it on the list to be ordered. Our target is to collect video and data on no more than 4 different Magnaflow mufflers and the Borla ProXS for now. Depending on the results and the response, we'll see about doing more.

[Txjose]

I promise not to disappoint!!!! The ProXS will likely be first in the batting order since we already have it. The rest will get ordered this week. So if I had to guess, I'd keep your eyes peeled for the ProXS video and data either this weekend or Monday.

You're doing a grate service to the community. Like it was said above, some of us get hit with buyers remorse but this will aliviate that hopefully.

[ProModMike]

No problem!! I'm just taking advantage of an opportunity to do what we all would love to see done, that's all. We've ALL been there and done that. God, if I had a nickel for every time I was the "don't buy that, it's junk, ask me how I know" guy.