TRUCK/SUV
JEEP
TOWING
WHEELS
TIRES
ATV/UTV
MOTORCYCLE
General Motorcycle
Dirt / Offroad
Street / Sport
Touring / Cruiser
Harley / V-Twin
PROMOS
☰
MENU
813-769-2451
Monday - Friday:
9:00am - 6:00pm EST
813-769-2451
HELP
My Account
Shipping
Tracking
Refunds/Returns
Warranty
Site Policy
About Us
Contact Us
CART
View Cart
Checkout
SEARCH
Close
  
testLogin
Existing Account:
For returning customers, please enter your email and password to log in to your account.
Forgot Password?
Logging-in please wait...
Select Vehicle:
Note: Due to the number of combinations, this feature will not apply to wheel and tire fitments.
Optional:
Extended:
×
Search 4WheelOnline
Articles and Reviews
Truck and SUV Articles and Reviews
Exhaust Systems & Kits Articles and Reviews
How Does a Muffler Work?
Change Vehicle
Select Vehicle:
Note: Due to the number of combinations, this feature will not apply to wheel and tire fitments.
Optional:
Extended:
How Does a Muffler Work?
The first muffler patent was awarded in 1897 to a couple of Indiana boys named Milton O. Reeves and Marshall T. Reeves. Since then, it has grown to be an essential part of the automotive process and a vehicle’s
exhaust system
. Mufflers are used to filter out the harmful gases that come from
your truck’s
engine while also reducing the noise (anybody that’s ever heard a car with a busted muffler knows just how much it does).
Sound Reduction
The sound reduction is achieved through a series of tubes inside of the muffler. These tubes have small holes and the entire design is set up to reflect the sound waves generated by the vehicle’s engine. The reflection of sound waves actually ends up cancelling out the noise. But, how does this happen?
Destructive Interference
If you listen to a band play, say The Rolling Stones for example, all of the sound waves from their instruments blend together and hit the ear drum wall at one time, which produces an even richer sound. Well, instead of sound waves blending together, there is also a way to generate waves that actually cancel each other. This is called destructive interference.
The Key Components of a Muffler
Destructive interference is generated in a muffler because of its unique design. The original sound that is created within the engine is first filtered into the muffler’s inlet. From there, the sound waves travel through a perforator and bounce off of the muffler’s walls and into the resonator chamber until it eventually exits through the outlet. The resonator chamber is the key tool in the destructive interference process. This chamber has a specific volume of air and is set at a specific length to facilitate the loss of sound. Instead of a resonator chamber, some luxury cars feature an entire resonator component to drown out all sound.
Backpressure
Mufflers are known for producing a considerable amount of backpressure. This happens because of all of the twists and turns that the exhaust must go through inside of the muffler. Backpressure will lower an engine’s performance capabilities, which is why many opt for alternatives. Aftermarket mufflers are often made to be wider and will improve an engine’s performance; however, some of these mufflers will not restrict sound at the same efficiency. This is not a problem for many drivers because aftermarket manufacturers have developed a way to give clean, pure American muscle style sound.
By: Tim Snyder
Posted on October 7th, 2013
There are no products available for your selected application. Please clear the filter or choose a new application.
Street Bike
Street Bike Audio/Video
Audio & Video
Shop All »
Audio Components
Helmet Comms
Sport Cameras
Street Bike Body Works
Body Works
Shop All »
Hotbodies Bodyworks
PUIG Bodyworks
Yoshimura Chassis Protectors
Street Bike Brakes
Brakes
Shop All »
Braking Brake Rotors
EBC Street Bike Brake Shoes, Rotors & Pads
Galfer Brake Lines, Pads & Rotors
Street Bike Controls
Controls
Shop All »
Grips
Handlebars
Levers
Rearsets
Street Bike Exhaust
Exhaust
Shop All »
FMF Racing
HotBodies Racing
Two Brothers Racing
Paughco Exhaust
Yoshimura
Rush
Voodoo
Street Bike Garage Accessories
Garage Accessories
Covers
Stands
Trailers
Chemicals
Repair Manuals
Batteries
Battery Chargers
Street Bike Luggage
Luggage
Shop All »
Luggage
Street Bike Mirrors
Mirrors
Shop All »
Mirrors
Street Bike Oil & Chemicals
Oil & Chemicals
Shop All »
Lucas Oil
Motorex
Street Bike Seats
Seats
Shop All »
Seats
Street Bike Security
Security
Shop All »
Xena Disc Lock Alarms
Chain & Bar Locks
Street Bike Suspension
Suspension
Shop All »
Lowering Kits
Street Bike Wheels & Tires
Wheels & Tires
Shop All Street Bike Wheels
Street Bike Tires
Avon
Bridgestone
Continental
IRC
Kenda
Metzeler Motorcycle Tires
Pirelli
Shinko Tire
Street Bike Windshields
Windshields
Shop All »
Windshields
Shop All StreetBike Sections
»
Shop All Sections & Brands
Looking for Truck or SUV Aftermarket Brands?
Looking for Jeep Aftermarket Brands?
Looking for ATV / UTV Aftermarket Brands?
Looking for Motorcycle Aftermarket Brands?
Other Sections
Truck and SUV
Towing
Jeep
ATV and UTV
View All Motorcycle Products
Dirt - Offroad
Street - Sport
Touring - Cruiser
Harley - V-Twin
Account Information
Promos & Specials
Truck Articles & Reviews
Privacy Policy
My Account
Returns
Warranty Info
Tracking Info
Price Quotes / Match