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Flowmaster.jpg (38016 bytes)I finally bit the bullet and went for a new exhaust system. Flowmaster mufflers and 3" exhaust were added to near new Thorley headers.

I chickened out on this as a do-it-yourself project. Based on Juanita's (the 'homer' expert at Flowmaster Inc.) recommendation I detoured to Santa Rosa, CA to have the installation done at:

Ms Muff.jpg (152920 bytes)

Johnny-Franklin.jpg (133760 bytes)

Johnny Franklin's
1340 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA
707-546-7750
The gentleman that made sure all went ok: his name is Bob.

They also have a place in San Rafael.

It turned out to be a very pleasant experience. Started the day with coffee and donuts and finished the day in the muffler shop before noon with new Flowmasters and 3" exhaust.

I took the opportunity to get a wheel alignment done as well so I wasn't quite out of there same day but very satisfied with the work, both in the muffler as well as the alignment shop.

Some pics of how it went...

Getting ready.jpg (151392 bytes) Make it long and straight.jpg (209804 bytes) Line-it-up.jpg (208076 bytes) A-gentle-push.jpg (224544 bytes) Far-enough.jpg (194916 bytes)

Tuck it in over the pit and tear out the old.

Make a 3" piece of exhaust pipe 16+ feet long.

Line it up and get it started...

...and get a little help.

Far enough... perfect fit.

 

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Add a 90 degree elbow. Band-clamp it. Add the specially designed Y. A last and close look at the Y innards. Now we're getting serious.

 

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A few twists and turns... ...add a couple of heatshields and we're almost done. A little bit of old and new. Cut off the excess... ...and add a nicely curved piece to top it off.

I was a little too early to experience their new facilities. A 30ton hoist will replace the pit. They do know GMC's around here... the owner having owned 2 of them in the past.

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There's also an alignment shop... which I made use of while in the neighborhood.

 Alignment-Shop.jpg (136996 bytes)

The businesses, Johnny Franklin's and Franklin Mattson Alignment appear very much as an extended family enterprise. By extended I mean that the projection is that everyone is family, including the customer.

Frank Johnson, a'la racecar driver Johnny Franklin, started the business in 1962. His son Bob joined him and Bob's son Don joined them both. Bob's son Rob looks after the store (shop) in San Rafael.

This page is done as appreciation of a job well done. I'll be going back... not for a while I hope, but I'll be going back...

Some extra pics after getting home: Everything cold. Will try to get some pics at a later time when exhaust is hot,  even though I believe it only stretches with heat?

Hangers.jpg (179476 bytes) Closeup-90.jpg (168508 bytes) Backlit 90.jpg (170324 bytes) First Grommet.jpg (162440 bytes) Tailsection.jpg (170244 bytes)
The original hanger attachment is used. The first frame member. Same frame member backlit for a little different effect. First grometted (?) frame member. A closeup of the tail(pipe) where it meets the outside world.

Rear-view.jpg (92684 bytes)

One final view from the rear.

The views expressed on this page are strictly my own and do not guarantee or imply anything other than a voluntary report of a very satisfied customer (me).
Thank you Juanita of Flowmaster Inc. for recommending Johnny Franklin's.

For comments in this or any other page on My GMC Site please email me.

This page was last updated: Monday, April 26, 2004 05:53 PM