4.3L muffler recommendations

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78C10BigTen

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So i cant leave well enough alone, i want to swap the exhaust on my s10 and need to know what after market mufflers sound best on a 4.3L v6. Anybody have one that can suggest something? Keep in mind i have dual flowmaster super 44s on my square so i dont mind it very aggressive . Just not sure what sounds good on a v6
 

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I can tell you a Flowmaster just does not sound quite right behind one of them.
I had convinced my old boss to let me change some things on my work van in the name of better fuel economy long ago during the first fuel crisis.

I put a 50 series Flowmaster under it with the same size exhaust piping.
I just changed the muffler, so it was still a single exhaust with cat.

I love flowmasters and have a set under my truck now and will have them under my Bel Air as well.
But I won't put one back under a V-6 again.

It might be different if you were to split the exhaust for true dual pipes, I don't know.
My Bel Air has a straight six in it with a split exhaust.
It has these teeny tiny little cherry bombs under it that are maybe 12 inches each.
It sounds pretty good.
 

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I can tell you a Flowmaster just does not sound quite right behind one of them.
I had convinced my old boss to let me change some things on my work van in the name of better fuel economy long ago during the first fuel crisis.

I put a 50 series Flowmaster under it with the same size exhaust piping.
I just changed the muffler, so it was still a single exhaust with cat.

I love flowmasters and have a set under my truck now and will have them under my Bel Air as well.
But I won't put one back under a V-6 again.

It might be different if you were to split the exhaust for true dual pipes, I don't know.
My Bel Air has a straight six in it with a split exhaust.
It has these teeny tiny little cherry bombs under it that are maybe 12 inches each.
It sounds pretty good.

Ted has already heard my thoughts, but I'll put it here too.

I tried multiple setups, the most V8 rumbly sounding I could get my TBI 4.3 to sound was with a factory y-pipe, 2.5" to the Flowmaster 40 series, then a 2.5" tailpipe with it pointing out the side, at the curb. It's the only V6 I would put a Flowmaster 40 on, they sound terrible on a 60* engine.

I tried so many different setups because I had other complications to deal with being a 5 speed. With just a cat and no muffler, it would pop and cackle during a shift for example. And with a Dynomax turbo muffler, it sounded like an old tractor when driving around town in the higher gears. That Flowmaster 40 was the best compromise all around.
 

Rusty Nail

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I had a 4300 when I got here and ran a DYNOMAX SUPER TURBO behind it.

Got comments ALL THE TIME about how freaking awesome it sounded but only because it did.

For a v6? It WAS bad ass sounding...

ONE 2.25" muff with a 12" long x 3" "echo tip" - no resonator.
ONE pipe.

Hope this helps!

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Flow master Super 40s or Cherry Bombs :)
If you want really aggressive go Super 10s.
 

78C10BigTen

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I had a 4300 when I got here and ran a DYNOMAX SUPER TURBO behind it.

Got comments ALL THE TIME about how freaking awesome it sounded but only because it did.

For a v6? It WAS bad ass sounding...

ONE 2.25" muff with a 12" long x 3" "echo tip" - no resonator.
ONE pipe.

Hope this helps!

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Echo tip??
 

78C10BigTen

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For a 6 banger, I say the quieter the better. I like loud V8s, and even 4 cylinders, especially motorcycles, but not 6s.
I hate bein quiet and i know these 4.3s have a throaty growl so id like to make her louder
 

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Last edited:

78C10BigTen

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I had a 4300 when I got here and ran a DYNOMAX SUPER TURBO behind it.

Got comments ALL THE TIME about how freaking awesome it sounded but only because it did.

For a v6? It WAS bad ass sounding...

ONE 2.25" muff with a 12" long x 3" "echo tip" - no resonator.
ONE pipe.

Hope this helps!

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Was it quiet at idle?
 

Rusty Nail

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Sounded like a 350, I swear people were ALWAYS making comment in amazement at it was a 6.
Sounded radder than **** at 3k too.
 

Rusty Nail

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Full length, over the axle, tucked gently underneath the bumper.

NOT under the bed, under the bumper.
HUGE difference.

I say it a lot in here, those are really great mufflers. If you don't want a Flow, that's the way to go.
Go for it man, give one a go- I bet you will love a SUPER TURBO.

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(Google Maps picture)
 
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MikeB

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I second the comments above about the Walker Dynomax Super Turbo. It won't be super loud, but will sound really good and flows better than a Flowmaster. That's as per engine guru David Vizard, and I doubt he has a horse in the race.

Also, try to use mandrel bends if possible, instead of muffler shop crush bends. That's probably the most neglected aspect of exhaust systems. Crush bends make a 2.5 pipe flow like a 2"-2-1/4" pipe. Can't tell you how many muscle cars and hot rods I've worked on that had $5K-$10K engines, headers, and high performance mufflers, but with super-restrictive crush bent pipes. Probably 25-40 hp up in smoke.
 
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jtridgley79

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My old s10 had a cherry bomb vortex.
2.5 in dual 2.25 or 2.5 out,can't remember with 3 inch tips
Sounded good and throaty.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk
 
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