Also known as a silencer, a muffler is a component through which exhaust gasses from the internal combustion engine pass to reduce the noise of the engine.
Without this crucial device, then your car will be very loud. If you are planning to upgrade your muffler to improve your engine performance, your mechanic may have suggested that you install a turbo muffler.
So what exactly is a turbo muffler, how does it work and it is worth installing it on your car? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about turbo mufflers.
Contents
What are turbo mufflers?
A turbo muffler is simply a conventional muffler with an open path through the muffler. They use three fewer tubes, meaning that the exhaust flow changes direction less frequently. They have a series of perforated tubes and the exhaust gasses are guided through the muffler in the form of an S-shaped pattern.
The individual perforation that turbo mufflers are equipped with helps to peel off the sound waves, thus providing a deeper exhaust tone.
It is important to note that turbo mufflers are aftermarket devices and are designed to reduce restriction, improve horsepower, and at the same time, provide sound muffing via fiberglass packing.
Unlike chambered mufflers, turbo mufflers are not equipped with steel plates to bounce sound waves. Instead, they are equipped with an S-shaped pipe which allows sound waves and exhaust gasses to flow without a lot of restriction.
Turbo mufflers are wrapped around fiberglass packing, which is ideal for absorbing sound waves. Instead of using steel plates to bounce sound waves as is the case with regular mufflers, turbo mufflers operate by absorbing the sound waves.
If you want to enhance your car engine performance while at the same time suppressing sound, then this is the perfect muffler for you. It is ideal for motorists who want more horsepower but don’t want a loud car.
Why is it called a turbo muffler?
The reason why it is called a turbo muffler is that they are designed using a 3-tube reserve flow design which enhances airflow thus enhancing the car’s performance.
Unlike regular mufflers that force air through the baffle and reduce flow, turbo mufflers are equipped with fiberglass packing which absorbs sound waves thus providing a deeper exhaust tone. They are designed to specifically reduce restrictions and allow exhaust gasses to flow out easily.
What is inside a turbo muffler?
A turbo muffler contains a series of perforated tubes. It also consists of an S-shaped pipe that allows sound waves and exhaust gasses to flow without a lot of restriction.
The turbo muffler also contains fiberglass packing that absorbs sound waves, thus providing more horsepower without making the car louder.
Do turbo mufflers sound good?
Most people would expect that turbo mufflers are loud. However, that is the case. Although they enhance engine performance, they operate quietly like regular mufflers.
Turbo mufflers are the quietest aftermarket mufflers. They are slightly louder than regular mufflers but the difference in sound is not significant. However, they sound good because of the deeper exhaust tone that they produce.
What is the difference between a turbo muffler and a regular muffler?
The main difference between a turbo muffler and a regular muffler is the way they operate. A regular muffler dampens sound by using steel plates that bounce sound waves against each other to cancel them out.
On the other hand, a turbo muffler is an aftermarket muffler that is designed to improve horsepower, and reduce restriction but still provide sound dampening.
Unlike regular mufflers, turbo mufflers don’t use steel plates to cancel sound waves. Instead, they use fiberglass packing which absorbs the sound waves.
Another difference between the two is that turbo mufflers help to increase horsepower while regular mufflers do not boost horsepower.
Are turbo mufflers loud?
NO, turbo mufflers are not loud. They are slightly louder than regular mufflers but the difference is not that big. They have been designed to boost engine performance by reducing exhaust restriction and at the same time suppress sound.
That is why they are recommended for motorists who want to increase horsepower without making their car loud.
Do turbo mufflers add more horsepower?
YES, turbo mufflers add more horsepower to the car’s engine (about a 10% increase in horsepower). They do this by reducing back pressure in your car’s engine and also increasing the airflow.
As a result, more air is pushed into the cylinder allowing the engine to burn more fuel, resulting in increased horsepower. So if you install a turbo muffler on your car, then you will boost its horsepower.
However, the horsepower gained will depend on your car model and the size of the engine.
Do you need a turbocharged car to use a turbo muffler?
No, you don’t need to have a turbocharged car to install a turbo muffler. The term “turbo” in turbo mufflers is not in any way related to a turbocharger.
This means that you can install this device on your car even if it is not turbocharged. Motorists with non-turbocharged vehicles need this device more because it helps to enhance engine performance.
Are turbo mufflers legal?
YES, turbo mufflers are legal in all 50 states in the United States. This is because they don’t increase the sound of the car significantly. They also don’t impact emissions.
But just to be sure that you are on the right side of the law, it is recommended that you measure the sound of the car when you rev. If the sound produced by the turbo muffler is below 95db, then you have nothing to worry about.
What is the cost of a turbo muffler?
The cost of a turbo muffler varies depending on the brand you choose. However, the average cost of a turbo muffler ranges between $50 and $150.
Conclusion
If you are thinking of installing a turbo muffler but wondering if it is a wise decision, we hope that this article has been informative.
A turbo muffle is ideal for motorists who want to boost their car performance without increasing the exhaust sound level. This device can increase the engine horsepower by up to 10%.
