Yesterday I was offered a FlowMaster exhaust system for my 96 SC4. Apparently there is not a standard bolt on model but they said they could customize one for my car. They suggested I do not change the catalytic converter. I was told I would get a minimum of 30 extra horsepower. I was told it would be a little louder but not so loud as to sound like a muscle machine. I would prefer no extra noise, but could live with a little. I am friends with the shop owner but he was not there. I was told he offered this deal to friends for $250 plus tax, includes parts and installation. I am mechanically inclined. Is this a good deal? Are the statements made by the shop accurate? What can I expect the 0 to 60 times to be improved? I have already changed to a K and N filter and heat shield.

Your advice is very much appreciated! Joe

 

There is no way you will get 30 more hp. Maybe a couple.

 

Every time I get the idea to do some upgrades to my car's exhaust,I go out with the calipers and start to measure everything to see where the bottle-neck will be;seems like the headpipe, convertors would be the first things to change,and even then only a small step up in diameter(2-1/4") would be needed.
I think the stock system is very good,and unless you have some serious mods,or are planning to,you'd be good to stick with the stock system.

 

Hey Joe,

Check out the "Exhaust horse power/sound gain" thread
in the exhaust/transmission section. It has a lot of opinions, facts, and theories. About exhausts. I don't believe you will get 30hp(unless you have a Vette or Mustang)! The MAF/ECU/throttle body in our cars are so damn finicky to mods.

I think 10-15 hp is a fair guess at WOT. Also look into getting an Apexi S-AFC, these have been praised for giving 25-30hp to the Lexus engines. Quite a few CL members have these too... If you get the FM make sure you get the ones with the "delta flow" technology. I hear the "50 series" FM with DF are really good...

What series FM are they offering? Are the changing all the exhaust piping from the cats to the muffs too? Does this price include tips? If not add another $40 - 60 bucks for some nice stainless steel tips(make sure the tips are stainless inside at least to prevent rust!). Have them to weld/mount the tips to the muffs BEFORE they put the muffs on the car!!! This will keep them EVEN on the muffs and make ALIGNING the muffs/tips much easier! Don't extend the tips no more than an inch or maybe 1 1/2 inches beyond the factory tips location.

Also get the dimensions of the mufflers to make sure the muff in NOT to small for your exhaust. As I said I'll read the thread about the exhausts to get some idea...

Ikon

 

Hey Ikon what does a Apexi S-AFC acutally do and can I get one for my LS?I have Sasha explain it before but was not clear on it.

 

http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/afc/

https://www.clublexus.com/vb/showthr...5&pagenumber=1

https://www.clublexus.com/vb/showthr...5&pagenumber=1


*Contact ComputerWiz, 933005spd, MadMaxSC400, BananaGS or other members that have the unit to get their perspectives on the Apexi S-AFC.

 

oh hell yeah 30HP!!! yeah i think this guy might have been a bit off. it'll give few HP at the most.

 

Thanks for all the info, it has been very helpful. I think I'm going to pass on the exhaust, as it seems the gains won't be worth the cost and the increase in noise. Again, good advice and it is appreciated. Joe

 

flowmasters aren't called flowdisasters for just anything

get a real exhaust system and tell that guy who said you'd gain 30hp to stop smoking crack

 

Hey Bean, I noticed you had Z-cars. We had a 300ZX 2+2(that I totalled after flipping it est. 6 times)<thank GOD I lived!!!> with Flowmaster exhaust, Stillen cone filter, center force clutch, 17" Fitipaldi, stillen Feul pressure riser etc... Also a ZX TT<sold it for a Range Rover(My brother's) than was sold for a C5 Vette>. The ZX TT had Filters(dual cone), ECU upgrade, exhaust, and boost controller. I personally was not crazy with the 84-89 style. We did have an 89' Conquest TSI with HKS stainless exhaust, filter, manual boost controller.

The ZX was/is my favorite car I've owned. I will get one again some day. Maybe a used 1995 and a 2003 model in 2004. Why did you sell your Z's. How do you feel about the RX-7 93-95? I hear they are great cars, but you have to be finicky with their maintenence and turbos. I've seen so many cars for sell with "new engines" at 50 to 80K miles.

Plus Bean. the flowmasters sounded strong and mello on our Z-cars. They also held up as good as long as they were on the cars.

 

Flowmasters would be an embarassment to Lexus owners everywhere

 

I think with mufflers you have to taylor the sound and look that you are looking for. Especially since the power gains are relatively small on our cars. Now on our Z-cars we had Flowmasters w/4" Bosal tips and they looked fine. A fellow Z owner who is a highway patrol officer had a Borla exhaust on his car and he was pissed that I spent less than $200. And got the same sound and look(from the rear) without paying $800 bucks.

Now we all know that FM and the Dynomax (several members have these too, "Computerwiz"<loved thaSC>, "Tre", "Banking" etc...) It depends on your preference. Spending more does not guarantee quality in build, sound or performance. Just shop around and really research you choine. Club Lexus is a good place to start!!!

As Lexdoc put it, "if you are really looking for a part to increase accelleration go buy a torque convertor." Because spending $600 - $800 bucks on a exhaust based on "name" is not worth the 10 - 15 hp that you can get for $200...

Hey, Max did you ever get your car dynoed to test your new cat and larger pipes set up? I'll like to see some more pics at a "different" angle of your set up again. Thanks...

 

I was looking into a chip for my SC,but since that whole deal is a hassle,and the s-afc would probably work better anyhow,I'll probably get one of those and fiddle around with it,compare settings with other members.
This way I can go back to stock with the push of a button.