TRUCK/SUV
JEEP
TOWING
WHEELS
TIRES
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?
$300-$400
 
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.
TOWING
Towing Accessories
Towing Accessories
Shop All »
Mudflaps
Tube Covers
Trailer Wiring Kits
Brake Controllers
Truck Leveling Kits
Towing Ball Mounts
Towing Ball Mounts
Shop All »
B&W Heavy Duty Ball Mounts
Diversi-Tech Ball Mounts
Reese Class V Ball Mounts
Tow Ready Ball Mounts
Draw-Tite Ball Mounts
Blue Ox Drop Receivers
Towing Hitch Balls
Towing Hitch Balls
Shop All »
B&W Hitch Balls
Trimax Tow Balls
Tow Ready Hitch Balls
Blue Ox Hitch Balls
Towing Hitches
Towing Hitches
Shop All »
Class I Hitches
Class II Hitches
Class III and IV Hitches
Class V Hitches
Gooseneck Hitches
Front Mount Receivers
5th Wheel Hitch
5th Wheel Hitch
Shop All »
Reese 5th Wheel Hitches
B&W 5th Wheel Hitches
5th Wheel Tailgates
5th Wheel Tailgates
Shop All »
Advance Manufacturing
Custom Flow Tailgates
Go Industries
Louvered V-Gate Tailgates Black Top
Go Industries
V-Gate Tailgates Stainless
Go Industries
White Painted V-Gate Tailgates
Brake Controllers
Brake Controllers
Shop All »
Blue Ox Brake Controllers
Tekonsha Brake Controllers
Tow Ready Brake Controller Wiring Adaptors
Draw-Tite Activator Brake Controllers
Westin Brake Controllers
Front Mount Receivers
Front Mount Receivers
Shop All »
Draw-Tite Front Mount Receiver
Front Mount Receiver Accessories
Gooseneck Hitches
Gooseneck Hitches
Shop All »
B&W Turnoverball
Gooseneck Hitch
Reese
Gooseneck Hitches
Gooseneck Rails
Gooseneck Rails
Shop All »
Draw-Tite
Gooseneck Rail Kit
Reese
Signature Series Rail Kits
Hitch Accessories
Hitch Accessories
Shop All »
Brands
Bestop
Blue Ox
B&W Hitches
Daystar
Draw-Tite
Factor 55
Hidden Hitch
Lund Truck Accessories
Mile Marker
Monster Hooks
ProRac Cargo Management
Rampage
Reese Trailer Hitch
Smittybilt
Surco Racks and Accessories
TeleSwivel
Tow Ready
Trimax Locks
Warn
Westin Automotive
Towing Locks & Security
Towing Locks & Security
Shop All »
Master Lock Security
Xena Security Systems
Blue Ox Locks
Trimax Locks
Bolt Security
Trailer Wiring Kits
Trailer Wiring Kits
Shop All »
Hoppy Tee Connector Trailer Wiring
Tow Ready Wiring Harnesses
Blue Ox Lighting/Wiring Kits
Wheels & Tires
Wheels & Tires
Shop All Towing Wheels
Shop All Towing Tires
Shop All Towing Sections
»
Other Sections
Truck and SUV
Towing
Jeep
Wheels
Tires
Promos
Account Information
Promos & Specials
Truck Articles & Reviews
Privacy Policy
My Account
Returns
Warranty Info
Tracking Info
Price Quotes / Match