Besides having so-so welds andbeing made of an inexpensive mild steel which is prone to rust, the other problem stems from the design (and it's not just Flowmaster). To achieve that "classic" throaty sound, they (along with a good many other muffler makers) use a series of baffles or chambers to achieve that sound. The cost of achieving this sound is a good bit of restriction.

Chambered mufflers, as a rule, give the perception of better low end power (torque) by virtue of increasing backpressure. In reality, you will see that backpressure simply lowers the torque curve so you feel it sooner, but in most cases actually decreases peak torque.

 

So, speaking of chambers, I was looking at three chambers. I want performance, but I don't want to **** off the neighbors. Do you think two is a good medium? Also, I live in SoCal near the coast, rust is probably going to be an issue. My friend is telling me I don't need stainless, but I'm telling him wait four years or less and tell me then.

 

Yeah, I would definitely suggest stainless steel.

 

I have the same setup on my 2nd gen I love it not to loud not to quite. The muffler is heavy as hell isnt it?

 

It sure it. Had to grab it with both hands to slide it out of the box.

 

Is that thing installed yet? What's the hold up!?

 

Geez, impatience. Well I have to rely on a friend who likes to drink a bit, so it might be on by next weekend. I just had surgery on my left rotator cuff 6 weeks ago and can't do anything over head or with my arms extended for any length of time.