Didn't get as many replies to my other post, so I'll try this route instead. I'm contemplating the FM full exhaust kit for my truck but their seems to be a ton of negativity about this muffler-or company-in regards to performance. I know their are reports from flow benches showing less than admirable results but how do we know this is important? Don't get me wrong, I understand performance well and know the basics of HP...fast flow in, faster flow out = HP, etc. But, maybe these engines prefer a little resistance to make numbers? Strange to say, just trying to fully understand FM. They are marketted as a performance muffler yet their are reports that debate this, yet TV shows like Horsepower us nothing but FM...so I'm wondering is their something that can't be tested through a flowbench. What would really be cool is two trucks getting baselines then adding a certain "system" and retesting for the results.

Just trying to gather as much info as I can. I am very close to ordering the FM system but want all the facts first. Yes I know FM gets more profits from their heavily marketted "sound" rather than numbers, but still its continually hyped as a performance brand, not a sound company. So before I make a bad call, anyone have true results or find more results online than I can? Or should I just go safe and get the AT3030 for my 08?

I personally think FM has an 'open empty' sound. I have Magnaflow and it has a deeper throaty muscle sound. Better for a truck I think. Leave FM for F*rds!
Just my .02

Well what is it your trying to achieve? If you just want a nice sound then who cares about the performance gains. Sure, any extra HP is always nice but if you have stock everything else and just a FM muffler then i would imagine the perfomance gains would be marginal. I got the cherry bomb extreme strictly for an awesome exhaust note..i probably lost some performance as opposed to my FM 40 series but i plan on making that up with headers . Just do what ever makes you happy man...these trucks ain't ment to run 11's hahaha

My Flowmaster showed power for the seat of the pants dyno. I think power is minimal no matter which muffler. I would decide on sound.

I like my FM 50 HD. I don't know how it flows on the top end relative to another muffler, but I think I gained low end torque with it. I like the sound too.

quote:

Originally posted by zwa21:
My Flowmaster showed power for the seat of the pants dyno. I think power is minimal no matter which muffler. I would decide on sound.

I love my flowmaster and will replace it with another when the time come. Everyone has their own taste in sound, so in the end it is up to you. I have a 6 year old and my puts her to sleep. Not too loud during cruising and loud enough on the strip to turn heads.

Aaron

Thanks guys, just what I wanted to read. Not trying to build a hot rod, got that already...Just didn't want to be going backwards either in HP. I plan on adding a "few" bolt ons, including headers, but by no means wanting a 11 sec truck out of this thing . Plus I have 2 kids under 10 so don't want obnoxious sound either.

Well, guess its FM then.

quote:

plan on adding a "few" bolt ons, including headers, but by no means wanting a 11 sec truck out of this thing

Famous last words!

quote:

Originally posted by zwa21:

quote:

plan on adding a "few" bolt ons, including headers, but by no means wanting a 11 sec truck out of this thing

Famous last words!

Yep, the monkey already has his hooks in!

Sure, FM cans do flow better than many stock mufflers, but they generally can't compete with straight-through aftermarket designs (Aeroturbine, Banks, Borla, Corsa, Gibson, Magnaflow). Ultimately, your muffler choice really depends on your sound preference. You've got plenty of options.

I have installed many flowmasters on newer dodge rams with HEMI's and my two cents is they sound like absolute butt. When the MDS kicks in it is the worst sounding most horrible droning fart can of a muffler i have ever heard.I dont even recommend FM on 1500 with HEMI anymore unless it is a mega cab or 2500.
I say go with the AT3030 thats what I got and I seen a 2 MPG increase with mine i love it and recommend a s/i s/o AT3030

I have a full fm system on my Ram, I love the sound and performance both. Good sound without the poppy no muffler sound when you back off

I think the FM has a distinct sound to it... well and HEMI truck does. I always seem to turn my head when I hear one with exhaust on it, not cause I know it's a HEMI necessarily, but it just catch's my attention.

Mine is an '03, so I don't have the MDS issue, kinda thankful for that to be honest. I have long tube headers, and an FM 50HD that exits with just dumps. I get a TON of compliments on the sound, especially from the LX crowd. Though they're pretty much the same motor, they just don't sound the same as our trucks.

That being said, I think it makes good power around town, yet at full throttle, let alone high RPM's, it does sound like it's a bit restricted with an "airy" sound to it. If I was going for WOT performance, I'd probably replace it with an AeroTurbine... still might just to see what it sounds like. But for around town, the sound is great. I think that's FM's claim to fame more than increase in power.

I also found out that you won't really find a good answer for muffler questions. You just have to listen around on youtube and give whatever you like a try.

I personally think that Magnaflows sounds AWESOME on mustangs (I don't like mustangs) but sound like crap on our Dodge trucks. Just my opinion. I think Flowmaster Super 44s are some of the best sounding mufflers out there. I also like the Cherry bomb Extremes.

Ah, well thanks for the inputs guys!

I agree with the destinction of LX hemi's and our trucks, but then again its two different systems. I traded an 2006 Charger RT for the Ram and it had the bolt up FM kit, and sounded way different. Two super 40s and 2 resonators make it different.

Anyways, I did buy the kit and installed it this weekend. With the truck having under 2k miles the entire factory system unbolted with ease and was able to save it. The install was easy too, very simple work. Overall impressions...this system is LOUD. I truly thought it wouldn't be as loud but it is. But tolerable. Nice rumble at idle, aggressive throttle, not bad at all, sounds really mean. The sound is just about right. I do have one issue I don't like at all, and its not reaaly the MDS. When the tranny goes into locked TC mode and slips into a high gear, say 30-40 MPH, it makes the worse crap-tistic sound ever. When it does this in a neighbrhood or on base, you would never suspect a HEMI was in it, but some 1.1L diesel with 5" exhaust or some shit. I'm hoping with a programmer to reduce TM and all, it'll get better. MDS isn't bad, almost quiet.

Well, thats my impressions. Does seem to be more responsive but I am probably deluded with feel and sound lol

Update: Drove all around town, anytime truck went into a low-load state, OD, MDS, etc...meaning light throttle any speed...it sounded horrible. The sound isn't really describeable but my God, its horrid and embarrassing! I've never in my life heard a FM sound so bad. 2 days on and it may come off this weekend. Unless I'm acceleraing, the truck sounded like complete crap. Turn OD off and sounded much much better.

any ideas?