Installed Flowmaster American Thunder - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

larryt1026 · 01-08-2011, 07:24 PM

Had my Flowmaster AT installed today. They had to rework and re-weld some pipes on the right muffler since it wasn't lining up center. I also had 2 Magnaflow resonators installed as well, since the droning in the cabin from 1.5-2k rpm was unbearable for me. The resonators did mellow out the drone a little bit and made it the sound ever deeper. It is still too much drone for me inside the cabin...might install some of that noise reducing mat in my trunk (forgot the name). Also some clinking and clacking noise (similar to what I had before with stock exhaust) sometimes..I'll have to go as far under the car as I can tomorrow without a lift to see if everything is tight. Hopefully the noise will just go away.

I had everything welded on so I don't have to retighten clamps in the future. I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with the way it sounds..to much drone for me. Other than that, the setup has a real DEEP roar and sounds phenomenal outside of the vehicle. I will try to get some videos up with my iPhone (all I got), but here are some pics to hold you all over

.

Magnaflow Resonator

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

AMT with the Resonator

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

2010 SSRS · 01-08-2011, 07:40 PM

looks good

RED10LS · 01-08-2011, 07:53 PM

I have the american thunder axelback and I dislike the drone also. It sucks that you
bought magna flow resonators and they are not really helping. I am also looking for
something to help stop the drone. I wonder if I bought the thick rubber GM trunk mat
would it help?? Dave.

larryt1026 · 01-08-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

looks good

Thanks buddy!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED10LS

I have the american thunder axelback and I dislike the drone also. It sucks that you
bought magna flow resonators and they are not really helping. I am also looking for
something to help stop the drone. I wonder if I bought the thick rubber GM trunk mat
would it help?? Dave.

Not sure. I remember reading that the after you break it in, the drone gets dimmer. How many miles are on your exhausts? Well the resonators did help a little, especially @ 1.5k but 2k is still kind of much for me. With two catalytic converters, two resonators and two ADDITIONAL resonators you'd think that it will eliminate all drone. LOL. Those trunk mats might help but I was thinking about "dynomatting" the well where the battery is placed. Hopefully that will help. Anyone have any input?

HailDamage · 01-08-2011, 08:52 PM

I guess, I should have waited until the bugs were worked out. I get mine on Tuesday but will probably install myself on the weekend. Let me know if you get the trunk matting if it helps or not. I am not a big fan of the droning sound either.

vinman · 01-08-2011, 09:34 PM

I LOVE THEM!!!!!! Wouldn't change a thing!!

Inferno LSX · 01-08-2011, 09:51 PM

I also have to Flowmaster AT. I love the sound of Flows. The drone is part of having Flowmasters.

priz23 · 01-09-2011, 02:06 AM

Maybe my ears are not as sensitive, but I can hardly notice any drone. I've had my since March and never notice the drone.

VR Baron · 01-09-2011, 01:32 PM

Yep, drone is a hard thing to deal with and this thread shows how all of us can relate to it but also how our ears percieve how bad it is. Drone comes from low speed, low exhaust gas velocity through larger interior pipes and mufflers.I have some drone but now call it exhaust "boom" that we will all get with a free flowing exhaust. It also seems worse on automatic cars then stick as you can shift through it with a stick or paddle shifters, autos shift into all gears in town/normal driving in the 1500-2000 rpm "drone" range. Now on the freeway my drone is low, I say it is a performance sound where there was none before, you can hear the exhaust but I think is what it should be and not bad at all. I have as much on my 98 LS1 v8 with intake, shorty headers and magnaflow catback. If it helps here is what I did in order to reduce drone as Mine was bad initially:

1. 4x9x14 magnaflow mufflers for a deep sound, like an axelback, drone was bad in town and on the road. It had to go!
2. Magnaflow resonated X pipe added 3 days later(drone was that bad!)
Drone now reduced to very little. Note one member has it on his flowmasters and it did the trick also.This is the one item that does help with the drone.
3. D/T shorty headers, made the car more quiet around town, no change on freeway, but did get louder/boomy as they broke in like a catback can.
4. resonator delete.Sound tone the same but a little louder up to 3000 rpm and meaner when on it. The sound I like better as it is more clear and not as muffled. You have to live with a little more sound in the 1-3000 range but I like it so far.
4. As to sound, 1-3000 rpm louder and clear, a smooth monotone from inside the car with some growl from out back, you hear both.Only wish you could get more low rpm growl then would be perfect. 3000 on up great growl and roar!!
5. To give and idea of interior sound, the car sounds like a SOLO J pipe or D/T header and catback combo on the vid's.

Mankind · 01-09-2011, 01:54 PM

The drone has always been a part of having Flowmasters. It will not go away fully. You can limit it but it will be there. I have always liked the Flowmaster sound and therefore have always had one on my vehicles. Don't notice the drone anymore since it has always been present on my vehicles.

Victoryred69 · 01-09-2011, 02:09 PM

Ive had my Flowmaster AMT for about 5 months as well now, i loveeee it!! the cold start-ups sound amazing i cant stop reving it when im at a street light , and when u give it a bit it comes to life! i can tell there is drone but thats when im in 5th or 6th doing 80-100kph, my cars stick so its easier to get away from it. i didnt weld them on only clamp them .... this spring i will go to 2.5inch exhaust from cat back to open it up, hopefully not causing more drone, but if it does.. its a sports car so i dont mind at all

Sicilian Medic · 01-09-2011, 03:08 PM

I also have these installed and I will admit that over time, the drone lessens. I was concerned in the beginning because it was pretty bad driving down the highway. It seems like the car has "learned" and adjusted accordingly.

larryt1026 · 01-09-2011, 10:47 PM

Thanks for all the info guys! I asked to have the resonated x-pipe installed but the muffler people told me that the twin Magnaflow resonators would be more effective in reducing the drone.

. I dunno..I'm really hoping that given time..the drone will reduce. Nothing against the Thunders it's designed what its supposed to do, but the exhaust boom (I'm stealing this Bee

) is more than I had bargained for.

On another note..did anyone else have heart palpitations when they went to town with those saws?

2010CamaroRS · 01-10-2011, 10:23 AM

turn the radio up...wont hear any drone then....still the best axle back out there

01-08-2011, 07:24 PM	#1
larryt1026 Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 575	Installed Flowmaster American Thunder Had my Flowmaster AT installed today. They had to rework and re-weld some pipes on the right muffler since it wasn't lining up center. I also had 2 Magnaflow resonators installed as well, since the droning in the cabin from 1.5-2k rpm was unbearable for me. The resonators did mellow out the drone a little bit and made it the sound ever deeper. It is still too much drone for me inside the cabin...might install some of that noise reducing mat in my trunk (forgot the name). Also some clinking and clacking noise (similar to what I had before with stock exhaust) sometimes..I'll have to go as far under the car as I can tomorrow without a lift to see if everything is tight. Hopefully the noise will just go away. I had everything welded on so I don't have to retighten clamps in the future. I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with the way it sounds..to much drone for me. Other than that, the setup has a real DEEP roar and sounds phenomenal outside of the vehicle. I will try to get some videos up with my iPhone (all I got), but here are some pics to hold you all over . Magnaflow Resonator Uploaded with ImageShack.us AMT with the Resonator Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

01-08-2011, 07:40 PM	#2
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,186 View My Garage	looks good __________________ Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package

01-08-2011, 07:53 PM	#3
RED10LS Drives: 2015 Camaro SS/RS Silver Join Date: May 2010 Location: Peoria, Az Posts: 293 View My Garage	I have the american thunder axelback and I dislike the drone also. It sucks that you bought magna flow resonators and they are not really helping. I am also looking for something to help stop the drone. I wonder if I bought the thick rubber GM trunk mat would it help?? Dave. __________________ Cai Intake, Pacesetter Ceramic Coated 1 7/8 Long Tube Headers and Legato axel back exhaust.

01-08-2011, 08:52 PM	#5
HailDamage Drives: 2011 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Avondale, Az Posts: 25 View My Garage	I guess, I should have waited until the bugs were worked out. I get mine on Tuesday but will probably install myself on the weekend. Let me know if you get the trunk matting if it helps or not. I am not a big fan of the droning sound either. __________________

01-08-2011, 09:51 PM	#7
Inferno LSX Supercharged LSX Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Black/Carbon Fiber Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: City of Angels Posts: 6,741 View My Garage	I also have to Flowmaster AT. I love the sound of Flows. The drone is part of having Flowmasters. __________________

01-08-2011, 09:34 PM	#6
vinman The BBOMG fill-in husband Drives: 2015 2SS/RS 1LE AKA V1LE Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Elmira, NY Posts: 4,474 View My Garage	I LOVE THEM!!!!!! Wouldn't change a thing!!

01-09-2011, 02:06 AM	#8
priz23 On 2nd 2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS -Cyber Gray Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minooka, IL Posts: 168 View My Garage	Maybe my ears are not as sensitive, but I can hardly notice any drone. I've had my since March and never notice the drone. __________________

01-09-2011, 01:32 PM	#9
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,367	Yep, drone is a hard thing to deal with and this thread shows how all of us can relate to it but also how our ears percieve how bad it is. Drone comes from low speed, low exhaust gas velocity through larger interior pipes and mufflers.I have some drone but now call it exhaust "boom" that we will all get with a free flowing exhaust. It also seems worse on automatic cars then stick as you can shift through it with a stick or paddle shifters, autos shift into all gears in town/normal driving in the 1500-2000 rpm "drone" range. Now on the freeway my drone is low, I say it is a performance sound where there was none before, you can hear the exhaust but I think is what it should be and not bad at all. I have as much on my 98 LS1 v8 with intake, shorty headers and magnaflow catback. If it helps here is what I did in order to reduce drone as Mine was bad initially: 1. 4x9x14 magnaflow mufflers for a deep sound, like an axelback, drone was bad in town and on the road. It had to go! 2. Magnaflow resonated X pipe added 3 days later(drone was that bad!) Drone now reduced to very little. Note one member has it on his flowmasters and it did the trick also.This is the one item that does help with the drone. 3. D/T shorty headers, made the car more quiet around town, no change on freeway, but did get louder/boomy as they broke in like a catback can. 4. resonator delete.Sound tone the same but a little louder up to 3000 rpm and meaner when on it. The sound I like better as it is more clear and not as muffled. You have to live with a little more sound in the 1-3000 range but I like it so far. 4. As to sound, 1-3000 rpm louder and clear, a smooth monotone from inside the car with some growl from out back, you hear both.Only wish you could get more low rpm growl then would be perfect. 3000 on up great growl and roar!! 5. To give and idea of interior sound, the car sounds like a SOLO J pipe or D/T header and catback combo on the vid's.

01-09-2011, 01:54 PM	#10
Mankind Whats a Millwright? Drives: 2LT/RS SIM, 05 Wht Denali Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Holden, LA Posts: 410	The drone has always been a part of having Flowmasters. It will not go away fully. You can limit it but it will be there. I have always liked the Flowmaster sound and therefore have always had one on my vehicles. Don't notice the drone anymore since it has always been present on my vehicles.

01-09-2011, 02:09 PM	#11
Victoryred69 Drives: RS Victory Red/BS V6 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: toronto Posts: 384	Ive had my Flowmaster AMT for about 5 months as well now, i loveeee it!! the cold start-ups sound amazing i cant stop reving it when im at a street light , and when u give it a bit it comes to life! i can tell there is drone but thats when im in 5th or 6th doing 80-100kph, my cars stick so its easier to get away from it. i didnt weld them on only clamp them .... this spring i will go to 2.5inch exhaust from cat back to open it up, hopefully not causing more drone, but if it does.. its a sports car so i dont mind at all __________________ 2010 Camaro 2LT RS M6 VR/BS Flowmaster AMT Axle Back Vararam Ram Air Intake P13 Plazma Bulbs DT Shorty Headers Heritage Grill Blacked-Out Taillights and Side Markers

01-09-2011, 03:08 PM	#12
Sicilian Medic Drives: 2019 Satin Steel Metallic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vail, AZ Posts: 81	I also have these installed and I will admit that over time, the drone lessens. I was concerned in the beginning because it was pretty bad driving down the highway. It seems like the car has "learned" and adjusted accordingly.

01-09-2011, 10:47 PM	#13
larryt1026 Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 575	Thanks for all the info guys! I asked to have the resonated x-pipe installed but the muffler people told me that the twin Magnaflow resonators would be more effective in reducing the drone. . I dunno..I'm really hoping that given time..the drone will reduce. Nothing against the Thunders it's designed what its supposed to do, but the exhaust boom (I'm stealing this Bee ) is more than I had bargained for. On another note..did anyone else have heart palpitations when they went to town with those saws?

01-10-2011, 10:23 AM	#14
2010CamaroRS Driver of the Blue Demon Drives: '15 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Westfield, MA Posts: 2,550 View My Garage	turn the radio up...wont hear any drone then....still the best axle back out there __________________ New England Camaro 5 The Few, The Proud, The Hyper Blue Metallics DT shorties.BBK Intake.FlowMaster AT.Eibach 1'' drop.Hurst Short Throw (44% reduction).Unrestricted Motorsports Gen 1 Style Rear Spoiler.Custom Aqua Blue Metallic Interior Panels.RS Embroidered Head Rests.Interior LED by Oracle.Illuminated Bowtie by Oracle.Footwell LED by Oracle.Grille LED by Oracle.Functional Headliner Console Toggle Switches for LED Lighting.Aqua Blue Engine Cover.RotoFab Radiator Cover.Aqua Blue Fuse Box Cover from RPI Designs.Much More

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