Best Type of Mufflers to Create the Perfect Exhaust Note
Finding the Best Performance Mufflers
We are going to step out on a truly short limb and here and state that most of our customers have a V8 engine under the hood of their hot rod, muscle car, or classic truck. Brand loyalties aside, we understand the allure of a good old American small block or big block V8 bolted to the front frame rails is what makes an enthusiast want to twist that ignition key and go for a fun ride down some two-lane blacktop. Almost as important as having a V8 engine under the hood is how that V8 sounds going down said two-lane road. There is something very personal about how a vehicle sounds to the owner and obviously that sound is also very subjective; what sounds perfect to one person might not work for another.
This is where exhaust mufflers and resonators come in. While exhaust pipe size and even length of the system’s pipes have some effect on overall exhaust tone, the muffler’s design, materials, and chambered construction shape the sound. A muffler’s internal design, case material, shape, and more are all designed to create a specific exhaust note. Whether you’re after a quiet performance muffler, a chambered muffler design, or the loudest tone, each delivers its own distinct sound. Adding exhaust resonators to your mufflers can further smooth and refine the tone as well.
Of course, the engine itself, from its camshaft to its firing order, to the type of exhaust manifolds or headers used, influences this exhaust note as well, contributing to the overall exhaust sound. An exhaust system can even sound different between stock iron manifolds and the use of something like Hooker headers. A well-seasoned hot rodder’s ear can often identify what is under the hood just by the exhaust note as the vehicle cruises by. Sorry, but you are never going to get that small block Chevy in your Ford hot rod to sound like a small block Ford!
How Mufflers Work & What is Inside a Muffler
The typical internal combustion engine features an exhaust port for each cylinder of the engine (though there are exceptions, like Ford’s Flathead V8). The exhaust that leaves the engine is traveling as a high frequency sound pulse which repeats with each firing of the cylinder, and you can see that these high frequency pressure waves create some substantial noise. This is where mufflers come in to save the day. Single exhaust vs dual exhaust, and even exhaust manifolds vs headers all play roles in overall exhaust tone.
The sound pressure waves coming down the exhaust pipe need to be attenuated in some manner. The purpose of a muffler is to reduce the noise level of these exhaust pressure waves in some manner, either via sound absorption material, or controlling the sound frequencies inside of a muffler. Inside a typical performance muffler, you may find sound deadening materials like stainless mesh or fiberglass mat, resonance chambers, baffles, and perforated tubing to disrupt and/or absorb sound waves. Some brands will use a combination of these sound control features inside a muffler. A muffler replacement not only offers a straightforward way to customize your vehicle’s exhaust note but possibly gain a bit of performance as well. Now that we understand how mufflers work, lets look at the different types of mufflers available.
Different Types of Mufflers
The most common high performance mufflers are ones with a casing filled with sound absorbing material within. This is referred to as a dissipative muffler. It removes the energy from the sound waves, dissipating the pressure into the exhaust muffler material, often fiberglass, but you will also see mufflers with stainless mesh (think like a steel wool pot scrubber material, only larger) like Dynatech mufflers use in their Split-Flow muffler line. This type of muffler is quite common in OEM applications and some classically styled mufflers. It is also relatively cost efficient, as the muffler cases are often rolled steel, galvanized, or aluminized for corrosion protection, with crimped end plates.
The other popular performance muffler design is the reactive muffler. A reactive muffler works off the principal of a sound chamber and uses the inner walls and dividers to reflect the sound back towards the source. The reactive muffler is one of the more popular hot rod mufflers people use and is often tuned to a specific frequency of attenuation, which is why the typical reactive muffler design is often offered in various sound level series to provide a quiet/aggressive/very loud type of escalating sound offering to the customer. Reactive mufflers are often made from heavier gauge steel and are usually fully welded designs, as the reactive design works off the metal resonating at a certain frequency.
These types of mufflers are often referred to as “chambered” mufflers and you may have even seen “two chamber” or “three chamber” terminology in marketing materials. The more chambers the quieter the muffler will be, as the exhaust gas pulses must pass through more deflectors/chambers before exiting, vibrating more metal surface area. The 40-Series Flowmaster exhaust mufflers are an example of what is a chambered muffler and is the “OG” two-chamber muffler heard on thousands of muscle cars. There are even header muffler inserts that aim to help reduce exhaust sound on those running open headers or side pipe style exhaust cars.
What is a Glass Pack?
The original “glasspack” term (glass pack or glasspack, take your pick!) used to describe some high performance mufflers falls under the dissipative style of muffler with fiberglass material as the sound absorption product. These glasspack mufflers feature a straight through design to reduce backpressure and increase performance. The straight through tube is perforated and surrounded by the absorption material. This design minimizes back pressure, improving exhaust flow and performance, while creating a deep, aggressive exhaust note. Glass packs are a popular choice for enthusiasts looking for a loud, free-flowing exhaust system that is quieter than going with straight pipes and no mufflers at all.
What is a Turbo Muffler?
Often a performance muffler that uses the “turbo” nomenclature has a similar internal design as a glasspack, with either fibrous or metallic sound absorbing materials, but uses an S-bend perforated path instead of a straight through single tube from inlet to outlet. This type of mufflers design helps balance noise reduction with performance, offering a quieter exhaust note compared to straight-through mufflers like glasspacks. The turbo muffler sound is much quieter than the typical chambered muffler design. The “turbo” name originates from its resemblance to turbocharger systems, which also use curved paths to optimize airflow. Turbo mufflers are often found in applications where a moderate exhaust sound is desired without sacrificing too much performance, making them popular for street cars and mild-performance builds. If you’re in need of the quietest performance mufflers, you should look at the turbo muffler design, as they will always be quieter when comparing a chambered muffler vs turbo muffler.
Chambered Muffler VS Straight Through Glasspack
As mentioned previously, a chambered muffler is one that uses one or more sound chambers to reflect and cancel out the sound waves in the exhaust. There exist single chamber race mufflers, but the two chamber and three chamber performance mufflers are what is often utilized in the typical street performance application of a hot rod, muscle car, or classic truck exhaust system. Muffler sizing, along with header or manifold type, and even overall exhaust tube sizing all play an integral part in the overall sound of your exhaust system too. Our exhaust pipe size chart should also be reviewed to ensure that you are using the appropriate pipe diameter for the horsepower output of your engine.
On the other hand, a straight through glasspack muffler’s perforated tube surrounded by sound-absorbing material, provides a less restrictive path for exhaust gases. These types of mufflers are designed to reduce back pressure, which can improve engine performance, while still providing a louder exhaust note. Glasspacks, known for their high-performance exhaust systems, are favored by those looking for a distinctive sound without the additional complexity of chambers. While both mufflers serve the purpose of noise reduction, the choice between a chambered muffler vs glasspack comes down to the desired sound and performance trade-off. Modern glasspack mufflers with stainless steel sound-absorbing material also offer a longer lifespan than traditional fiberglass packed sound absorption designs.
What is an Exhaust Resonator? | Muffler VS Resonator
Many people confuse mufflers and resonators because they don’t know the difference between muffler and resonator uses. In modified exhaust systems, both play distinct roles. Exhaust resonators shape the sound by canceling out certain annoying frequencies without affecting exhaust flow. It’s usually placed in a specific part of the exhaust to target these frequencies. So, the muffler resonator purpose differs from the standard muffler. You can have an exhaust system with mufflers only, or with a muffler and resonator to aid in sound attenuation. You will generally not see an exhaust system built with just resonators in place of mufflers. In stock systems, the muffler reduces overall noise, while the resonator handles specific frequencies that the muffler can’t. They often look alike, which can cause confusion.
A muffler reduces the overall noise from the exhaust. Some mufflers have built-in resonators, but they mainly reduce higher frequencies. Muffler designs vary, but their main goal is to lower sound while improving sound quality. High-performance mufflers may even enhance certain sounds. Hot-Rodders often focus on performance and weight savings, even if it means a louder ride. Mufflers and resonators help meet noise standards and reduce unwanted sound. For older cars, aftermarket exhaust components can improve flow and performance while providing an aggressive exhaust note that is preferred in such vehicles, and a resonator is rarely added. Do mufflers add horsepower? In some cases, yes, but resonators are mainly for tuning specific sounds.
Reducing overall noise is the muffler’s job, though we generally choose mufflers by their loudness and/or exhaust note, they do reduce the exhaust note overall compared to straight pipes and especially open headers. If you need to target specific exhaust tone frequencies, a resonator may be the way to get your exhaust sounding just how you want it for a comfortable ride or to pass your track’s dB (decibel) sound limit. So, as you can see, it isn’t really a resonator vs muffler argument, but whether you need a muffler with resonator in your exhaust system to get the sound attenuation you’re looking for.
What are Mufflers Made Of & Is Muffler Material Important?
The type of metal your mufflers are crafted from is often a consideration that is not extremely high up on the shopping list, but it is indeed one you should be aware of when you are looking for the best performance mufflers for your ride. The basic budget replacement muffler you might have installed on your daily driver is most likely made from aluminized steel. This is a basic grade of steel with an aluminum coating to resist (note we did not say prevent!) rust through or perforation of the muffler body. These mufflers are usually the heaviest when comparing equivalent size mufflers in different materials and are usually crimped case ends and not fully welded. The aluminized steel body is popular with glasspack and turbo muffler designs. However, some glasspack designs are not aluminized and simply come painted. You will find the best chambered muffler design is often built from some type of steel and fully welded.
A better solution is either an aluminum or stainless-steel performance muffler. These materials have a much higher corrosion resistance and will usually outlast your car. Aluminum and stainless-steel mufflers can be either welded or crimped case. You will find turbo, chambered, and even some glasspacks in aluminum or stainless-steel variants. A bonus of both materials is that if they are highly visible on your hot rod or muscle car they can be polished to a chrome-like mirror finish to bring attention to your ride. Stainless steel is the best for durability, while aluminized steel offers a more affordable option. Mild steel is budget-friendly but less durable. Choose the exhaust muffler material based on your vehicle, driving conditions, and budget.
Mufflers are typically made from stainless steel, aluminized steel, or mild steel, each with different benefits:
- Stainless Steel: Durable, rust-resistant, and long-lasting, making it ideal for high-performance cars and harsh environments.
- Aluminized Steel: Coated with aluminum to resist rust, it's more affordable than stainless steel, but less durable.
- Mild Steel: The cheapest option, but prone to rust and corrosion, making it less durable.
What Size Muffler Do I Need?
If all you are doing is replacing your stock mufflers or perhaps a set of worn-out aftermarket mufflers the decision is easy. Measure the old case size so you know the maximum case dimensions you can search for and measure the inlet and outlet bushing diameters and location to determine the current system’s pipe diameter. This will ensure the mufflers you order will not only fit the area but that the mufflers will easily connect to the current pipe diameter of your exhaust system.
However, if we are talking about a complete rebuilding of the exhaust system or your project build is ready for its first exhaust system, then much more needs to be taken into consideration. Obviously, there are still the muffler case dimensions that are the primary focus. Larger mufflers absorb more noise, while smaller mufflers produce a louder, rawer sound. Where will you be mounting the mufflers and how much room do you have for the muffler case itself? That needs to be your first trip under your ride.
Secondly there would be the muffler case’s inlet and outlet bushing locations. You will see inlet and outlet specs listed as “offset” or “centered” in our product details. Determining inlet pipe routing and tailpipe routing over/around your rear suspension will help you confirm where the muffler’s inlet and outlet bushings should be on the muffler casing. Popular muscle cars, classic trucks, and so forth will often find easier solutions via complete exhaust system kits with mufflers and pre-bent piping to mate to the headers or exhaust manifolds. However, deviating from the stock suspension and chassis configuration, or building a truly custom hot rod will require careful measuring and mock-ups.
With a new installation or any time you plan to upgrade the remainder of your exhaust system, including inlet pipes, crossover, and tailpipes, you need to consider your engine’s exhaust flow needs. Cubic displacement, horsepower, and rpm operating range all play an integral part in deciding pipe diameter. A typical rule of thumb is small block V-8 and/or up to 250 horsepower that 2-1/4-inch pipes will suffice. Larger displacement small blocks, such as stroker engines, and big block engines, with power up to 500 horsepower usually work best with 2-1/2-inch piping. Over 500 horsepower it is often best to move to 3-inch pipe if it will fit your vehicle’s chassis routing. Tailpipe length does not really do much for horsepower gain but can affect overall tone of the mufflers you are using, so keep that in mind when determining muffler location and how far you want the tailpipes to go (side exit, turn downs, or to the rear bumper/valance area).
What Muffler is the Loudest VS Quietest Performance Mufflers
Choosing between a loud or quiet muffler comes down to personal preference and vehicle goals. Performance mufflers vary in design and sound output, with some prioritizing aggressive tones and others focusing on subtle noise reduction.
How Do You Install Mufflers?
Muffler installation can be accomplished in one of two methods, either fully welding the muffler to your exhaust inlet pipes and tailpipes or using various styles of exhaust clamps. Welding is more permanent and will absolutely eliminate any movement between the pipes and mufflers due to vibration or thermal expansion and is often the preferred method of fabricating an exhaust system and installing new mufflers.
That said, some applications may require a bolt together or clamped system to allow servicing of the drivetrain or access to suspension components. Furthermore, not everyone owns a welder or knows how to properly lay a MIG or TIG bead, so using a muffler clamp is usually the most common method. At the very least we have seen enthusiasts clamp their mufflers and exhaust in place and then take their project vehicle to a competent local exhaust shop to be aligned and fully welded.
If you plan to utilize exhaust clamps in your muffler install know that you will require the correct diameter clamp to match your exhaust system pipe diameter and muffler bushings. The standard steel tube clamp is the most common clamp used in muffler installations, but their installation often crimps the muffler bushing to the point that the muffler is not easily removed in the future. We have also seen cases with thick steel mufflers where the bushing will not crimp down at all, allowing the muffler to move. V-band clamps are a popular option that many high-end builders incorporate into their builds. The V-band clamp requires welding to the exhaust component, but once welded it provides a leak-free seal that is easily disconnected for service work on the chassis.
Lastly, there are band and tube clamps that not only have great holding power and are reusable, but do not crimp or damage the exhaust pipe or muffler bushing, allowing the components to easily come apart as well. See our exhaust clamp guide for more details on what clamp will work best for your situation. Do not forget hangers and other exhaust fabrication parts are just a click away if you are really getting into a wild custom fabricated exhaust solution that is becoming more common with modern drivetrain swaps where there is simply nothing premade that will bolt right on or if you are using a custom chassis for your build.
