How do I make my 454 quiet?

[Dayzedandkonfuzed]

BB swap is almost complete! Just having a hard time deciding what to do with my exhaust. It's a bone stock '79 454, looks like 2.25" exhaust was on the truck. I want this exhaust to be as quiet as possible, not looking to make any more power, as I'm sure the extra 149 cubic inches will do that just fine. I know most people want a good throaty sound, and normally I do too, but not on this build. I was thinking of a cheap pair of dynomax super turbos. Any reccomendations?

If one more person says flowmaster super 40's my head is going to explode.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Why not just get a stock gbody single exhaust? Not sure what sizes came stock on gbodies but all of the stock ones I have heard have been very tame sounding. I thought about doing this with my 496 then using electric cutouts for fun

 

[online170]

This all depends on your definition of quiet. Like new car quiet, or quiet for a muscle car? I think dynomax/walker has a simulator which shows you the note of the exhaust, and gives you a decibel rating.

If you don't mind going smaller than 3" exhaust, that's an easy one.

Just get a standard 2.5" exhaust, and buy the mufflers separate. Dynomax/Walker are the same company, and are regarded as some of the best available. Generally speaking, the cheaper they are, the louder they are. I have had super turbos on a small block before, and they are pretty nice. Quiet-ish on the street, nice throaty sound, and get loud when you step on it.

The much quieter ones seem to be called Walkers.



A couple of things. H or X pipe will help reduce resonance. Exhaust tips exiting out past the rear of the bumper, or rear quarter will reduce resonance. Pointing to the ground, or axle exit will increase resonance. If you find it too raspy still, a couple of dyno bullets will tame it more still. You could also look at high flow catalytic converters to quiet it down some as well.

 

[darbysan]

FWIW, I just installed Dynomax VT's on my Elky. They have a valve technology that allows more a of a straight-thru flow when you get on it, but reverts to a turbo-style under normal driving/cruise. Eliminated the drone I was getting at hwy speeds, and has a nice tone when you accelerate hard. If you drive normally, it will sound close to stock mufflers. Be aware that if you use them on true duals, you must have an x/h pipe to make them work properly.

 

[Doober]

Manifolds, catalytic converter and a 2.5" muffler, in-line resonator will help too.

 

[Bar50]

Walker/DynoMax Hemi Super Turbo mufflers.

They also make them for motorhome/RV even quieter.

Best, highest flowing turbo muffler is the DynoMax Super Turbo.....deep mellow sound...

 

[Dayzedandkonfuzed]

I want it to sound as close to the stock 305 as i can get, which i know is asking a lot out of a big block. Looks like my best bet on a budget is going to be getting stock replacement walker mufflers for the '79 chevy. Dynomax VT's sound like the way to go but not exactly $40 each. Thanks everyone.

 

[Bar50]

With the DynoMax Super Turbos it will just sound like dual exhaust. Quieter than a Mustang with Flowmasters.
There is also the Hush Thrush turbos...

I would run 2.5 to the muffler and 2 or 2.25 out. If you have tail pipes past the muffler it will also knock the sound down.

Notice-able sound come more from headers and compression. Obviously how smooth the idle is has to do with the camshaft selection.


If it is a stone stock truck 454 with manifolds, that is whats in my maroon Malibu, it has the headpipes and manifolds from the donor motorhome(same as truck) with some flowmaster copies on wedged on just past the trans....so, I am soon to be joining you. Mine will get 2.5 and a dual exhaust crossmember, right now I am torn between turbo or straight thru mufflers, I am looking for a quality sound, no fooling anybody, its a 78 Malibu with ralley wheels...my buddies all know its a big block.

 

[online170]

I want it to sound as close to the stock 305 as i can get, which i know is asking a lot out of a big block. Looks like my best bet on a budget is going to be getting stock replacement walker mufflers for the '79 chevy. Dynomax VT's sound like the way to go but not exactly $40 each. Thanks everyone.

You want the largest mufflers you can get then. Look for a stock replacement type in the Walker series. If you still want to mellow the sound out after that, ad some high flow cats or resonators.


It can be done. Think 70's full size luxury cars.

 

[L92 OLDS]

You want the largest mufflers you can get then. Look for a stock replacement type in the Walker series. If you still want to mellow the sound out after that, ad some high flow cats or resonators.


It can be done. Think 70's full size luxury cars.

I've read somewhere that Walker makes a high flow stock replacement muffler. I am going the same route with my car as I'm tired of the flowmasters and would rather hear the Q-jet sucking sound. The Dynomax VT mufflers above sounds interesting.....