Cherry Bomb - Vortex!

[SilverBullet75]

I just spent part of my Stimulus Check on a new exhaust for my Ebony. It's a Vortex, by Cherry Bomb. So far I couldn't be happier! I wanted something a tad quieter than the Flowmaster Super40, yet with better low-end torque and gas mileage. I am still testing the mileage part... but the torque is better than stock! That's all I care about right now. The muffler is similar in design to the Flowmaster, but with a surrounding of fiberglass that adds back the backpressure that I lost. The sound is also similar to the Flowmaster, yet without the "hollow" sound. $275 later... smiles all around!

Some of you are probably saying:

"I wouldn't be caught dead putting a "Cherry Bomb" on my vehicle..."
I thought the same thing when I was told about the Vortex. Turns out Cherry Bomb was bought out by another company that gave them a bit of a turnaround.

Here's their website for more info:
http://www.cherrybomb.com/products/

[etlsport]

i saw the commercials for that muffler.. liked the look of it a lot.. but dont have the money to get it now.. sound clip please!

[LittleBeast]

How can you tell the difference in backpressure? I am looking at 3 options:
-MagnaFlow part# 14378
-Cherry Bomb part# 88115
-FlowMaster 50 Series SUV part# 524554
All are dual in/dual out (2.25") except the Cherry Bomb is (2.25"in/2.5" out). I plan on replacing the old OEM Cats with MagnaFlow Cats (part# 54305) as well. I am tired of the very loud PV1, and want to try something new, hopefully a little more quiet, PV1 sounds a little ricey over 4K rpms.

[tom4bren]

"but with a surrounding of fiberglass that adds back the backpressure that I lost"

I'm confused. I thought that the whole reason for a high performance exhaust system was to reduce back pressure. You talk as if back pressure is a good thing. Can someone 'splain?

[taylorRichie]

If he's talking about installing a high flow cat, I doubt he wants back pressure... He's probably wanting back pressure specs to possibly determine how loud it'll be??

[SilverBullet75]

Guys,

I'm at a loss as well.. common sense tells us that less backpressure equals benefits, not negative results!... but...

All I know is that when I went with the Flowmaster Super40, which has much more open flow than stock, I lost a lot of low-end torque, some hp, and gas mileage was terrible. (also confirmed by VCross007 when he tried the same setup)

I put the stock muffler back on, and everything was great again... but too quiet.

So, I found a happy medium... a similar design (chambered), but with fiberglass surrounding the chambers (which should add some resistance).
So far so good! Throttle response seems improved. Torque is GREAT. Gas mileage (so far) is definately improved.

So, I don't have any dyno data to "prove" it... just experience.

I'd also like to apologize to VCross007 for leading him to the Flowmaster prematurely...

Littlebeast,
RE: "I am looking at 3 options:
-MagnaFlow part# 14378
-Cherry Bomb part# 88115
-FlowMaster 50 Series SUV part# 524554"

My Cherry Bomb Vortex part number is 88101.
Also, according to the muffler guy, the FlowMaster 50 series is pretty quiet... almost like stock with a little bit of a "throat" to it.
(I never looked at the MagnaFlow... always heard they were too raspy/loud)

I'll try to get a sound clip soon... maybe today.
Thanks!

[Bob Barker]

Just to add to this old topic, the cherry bomb glass pack (same length as stock muffler) is very nice sounding. I put one on this afternoon and LOVE IT!

[SilverBullet75]

Did you go with the Vortex model or the standard straight glasspack (red) pipe?

[Bob Barker]

glass pack. I was trying to budget cause I got a vacation in a couple weeks. I think the glass pack sounds a thousand times better than I thought it would.

[SouthJ1]

glass pack. I was trying to budget cause I got a vacation in a couple weeks. I think the glass pack sounds a thousand times better than I thought it would.

Agreed glasspacks are what i have on my VX and its just a throaty pissed off bumble bee noise but i like the way it sounds. It kinda reminds me of a toyota supra when your getting down on it

[Bob Barker]

Yeah I get that sound some too. Nice sound for a v6 comparing to a 4cyl and v8 it's a smooth middle range.