I have a 71, ls and flowmaster headers. What have you used for exhaust that doesn't break the bank?

 

I would check out some local exhaust shops that can fabricate a 2.5 inch system. I use aluminized pipe, pick the muffler of your choice based on the sound you're after.

 

^^^THIS^^^

If you wanted to go really cheap you could buy shorty glasspacks and put turn downs on them before the rear axle. That would be loud as hell though. Same thing a friend of mine had on his 81 Camaro when we were in high school.

 

I did that in the 90s with regular Midas mufflers and it was obnoxiously loud.

 

I did same on my '67 4-4-2 in 1969. One of the dumbest things I did.

 

If you have a mig welder and a cut-off wheel, buy a kit like this and make you own:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35672483670...Bk9SR_aR9ouxZg

The above kit is $79 or you can find one with an X-pipe for a little more. A mig welder will weld stainless really well.

You can add some V-bands to make it easier to remove when needed:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20469059661...3ABFBMyu-VjLFm

The above V-bands are less than $40 for the set.
Buy a set of stainless mufflers of your choice and with a little time and effort you will have a nicer system than the standard exhaust shop "crimple-bend" system and probably save some money too.

I have made a few systems with kits like this so far. They work really well, but it does take time.

 

If you were closer to Phoenix I could make you a deal you couldn’t refuse for a 2 1/4” header back system that is languishing in my garage.