Muffler Types

Mufflers are a vital part of any gasoline or diesel engine. The main purpose of any muffler is to silence the sound traveling from the engine. This task is accomplished when the speed of the exhaust is decreased by the muffler absorbing and reflecting these sound waves. Mufflers have evolved into dual exhaust systems and types that make different sounds.

Multiple Baffle Muffler

  • The first performance style muffler housed multiple baffles inside. This type of muffler allowed the exhaust gas to escape through holes punched through the tube. Car engine noise was decreased by expansion and pulse reflection as the exhaust traveled through different sections of the muffler. These mufflers restrict the flow of exhaust more than others, but are still described as being reasonably quiet.

Turbo Muffler

  • The first use of the turbo muffler dates back to the 1960’s. The turbo muffler does not contain baffles to block the flow of exhaust. This type of is manufactured with an S-shaped path inside, which allows the gas exhaust to enter into the muffler and be forced to the opposite end where it turns into a different tube to exit the vehicle’s exhaust system. A major drawback of the turbo muffler is the flow restriction of exhaust caused by each of the turns within the muffler. However, these turns allow the muffler to be longer on the inside than the outside, which is an advantage.

Straight-Through Muffler

  • The first modern muffler, also known as the straight-through muffler, involves the use of a perforated tube. This tube forces the exhaust on a path from the inlet to the outlet. There is little restriction of flow through this type of muffler. Holes are punched into the pipe to allow the gas exhaust to expand silently. A straight-through muffler may possess dual chambers to allow exhaust to travel from a main tube into a second chamber. Compared to other mufflers, this straight-through type contains the best flow design.

Aluminized vs. Stainless

  • There are two types of steel commonly used to manufacture mufflers. Stainless steel mufflers are considered more durable, and can last up to 10 years. Aluminized mild steel mufflers are prone to corrosion, and therefore they typically last around four years.