Getting close to putting an exhaust system on my 54 f100.
I need some advise on the best muffler to make this truck sound as good as it is going to look. I don't want racetrack loud. I do want a deep throaty rumble that will be noticed. The truck has a 460 in it, probably fed with a carb, though I am looking at some sweet FI systems, but that is for another post.

Any help is appreciated! Opinions, and random thoughts are welcome as well.

Thanks, JCM

 

The choices are bewildering and I've chased a lot of bad guesses. For what it's worth, I'm good with the set I got for the F1, Flowmaster 50 series. The engine is a Nailhead 364 with 2 1/4" duels, stock headers, and they have the deep throaty rumble (mild cam) you're looking for, but not too loud, great flow. If anything the 50's are on the quiet side. The 40 series, which I have also tried, is similar, louder, but in terms of acceptable noise levels, so much depends on the displacement, pipe size, lengths fore and aft of the muffler, how many bends, etc -- it's really guesswork. Summit Racing is a good source for checking out the (many) choices: Flowmaster Mufflers & Resonators - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

Made in the USA!
MUFFLERS

 

Asking for the best sounding muffler is like asking what's the best color. Each person is going to have their own opinion as to what sounds good and what doesn't. And like oneye mentioned there are a lot of things that can change the sound besides just the muffler.

As for my personal choice I like the Hooker Aero-Chamber Mufflers. They are a straight through design without being to loud.

If you want to have an idea about how a muffler may sound. I'd suggest surfing Youtube and search your engine and whatever muffler you are considering. There are usually quite a few videos posted. Then you would atleast have an idea of what it might sound like with a certain muffler.

 

Flowmasters will always give you the low tone. I love them at idle and WOT. Most of the time you get an annoying drone at a particular RPM. Everytime I buy a car it already has new 40 series installed. Told myself I am cutting every one of them off and putting them on ebay this winter. We'll see if it really happens.

 

I started with cherry bombs. They were too loud. My choices were limited since my exhaust system is polished 304 SS. I called Borla and talked to them. I told the tech that I wanted Willard to talk to me but not yell at me. IMHO the cherry bombs yelled at me. I am very happy with the Borla's.

 

An H-pipe usually knocks out a lot of harhness, the further forward the better.

 

I read an article with dyno runs and the flowmasters lost power. It wasn't much but still lost some. I just don't the like the drone that comes with them but idle sounds great . I run dynomax and like them. A lot of options out there

 

Showing my age but I love glasspacks. Cherry Bombs, Thrush, Purple Hornies... For the first month or two anyway. Then the glass shoots out your tailpipes and you might as well be running straight pipes. They are obnoxiously raspy sounding from then on. They should come with quick disconnects so you can switch them out mid season.

 

Great idea

 

I have Fowmaster Hushpowers (glass packs) on my 56 with a Y-block and Borlas (also a glass pack design) on my wife's 52 with a Coyote 5.0. I like both sets as they do not drone and have a deep nice sound. But my favorite after adding a H-pipe are the Hushpowers, they are very mellow on longer drives but really come alive under throttle.

 

Mike,
I'm thinking about changing my 56s single exhaust to dual. Are you running a H pipe? Where did you install your Hushpowers in your exhaust system? Does your exhaust go all the way out the back?

 

It's hard to beat Magnaflow for performance and durability...these are the ones on my latest project:

 

If we are in the running check out the
Super Turbo
Ultra Flo Welded
VT muffler (with drone-free technology)

No matter who you go with make sure it is of stainless steel construction.
Also save that receipt, most companies will offer some sort of warranty too.

What sets us apart:

Performance & Sound Guarantee
We challenge you to try our DynoMax® performance mufflers* risk-free for 90 days - if our products* don't meet the challenge, call us for your money back.

All the details.
Warranty / Guarantee

Good luck in your hunt.

 

I'm running Dynomax VT's with a crossover. Love the sound and no drone at highway speeds. If I can figure out how to get a sound clip I'll send it.