Unbeknownst to me before i began my search for a replacement muffler/s i discovered the Thrush wlelded is an exact clone of the Flowmaster 40 Series, after comparing prices between the two i also discovered that a single Flowmaster would set me back $70/apiece vs buying the Thrush Welded @ $60/pair. It was a no-brainer after that, great sound and performance at less than half the price. Like Momma said, gotta do your homework.
Thrush Welded vs Flowmaster 40 series
- Thread starter SS402
- Start date
"Like Momma said, gotta do your homework."
now that applies almost every place in this hobby!
Ive found prices on identical parts can EASILY vary by 20-30% just shopping carefully
those less expensive mufflers, may be identical, in some cases a manufacturer will produce identical product (sometimes with a minor cosmetic change) and several companies will market the product under several brand names at different prices, but they may be cheaper imports with thinner steel,a lower grade of steel, less corrosion protection or crimped rather than welded seams etc.
but I must also point out that you do tend to get what you pay for in most cases and its not all that rare for import parts that look nearly identical to be priced a great deal lower because in many cases the QUALITY and PRECISION during their manufacture was not as precise, a great example of this is those cheap timing gear /chain sets, that sell for $20 vs a cloyes timing set that may sell for $60-$70, they look almost identical, but the heat treatment, steel used and precision, indexing makes the less expensive timing sets a bad value.
you'll never notice until you start degeeing in your cams vs installing them DOT-TO-DOT, because without a precise way of measuring you can,t see the differences, until after they have been run for awhile and you start to see the much more rapid wear in the softer steel , or when you see the rather consistent lack of accuracy during the degree in process with the less consistent import parts
now that applies almost every place in this hobby!
Ive found prices on identical parts can EASILY vary by 20-30% just shopping carefully
those less expensive mufflers, may be identical, in some cases a manufacturer will produce identical product (sometimes with a minor cosmetic change) and several companies will market the product under several brand names at different prices, but they may be cheaper imports with thinner steel,a lower grade of steel, less corrosion protection or crimped rather than welded seams etc.
but I must also point out that you do tend to get what you pay for in most cases and its not all that rare for import parts that look nearly identical to be priced a great deal lower because in many cases the QUALITY and PRECISION during their manufacture was not as precise, a great example of this is those cheap timing gear /chain sets, that sell for $20 vs a cloyes timing set that may sell for $60-$70, they look almost identical, but the heat treatment, steel used and precision, indexing makes the less expensive timing sets a bad value.
you'll never notice until you start degeeing in your cams vs installing them DOT-TO-DOT, because without a precise way of measuring you can,t see the differences, until after they have been run for awhile and you start to see the much more rapid wear in the softer steel , or when you see the rather consistent lack of accuracy during the degree in process with the less consistent import parts
