What's a "turbo" Muffler?

[60s Refugee]

K.A.R. offers a dual OEM style exhaust kit, w or wo resonators. It has "turbo" mufflers. What exactly is a 'turbo' muffler?

Harry

 

[Patrick66]

it doesnt have anything to do with a turbocharger.

http://www.automax.nl/Afbeeldingen/Thrush_Turbo_cut.gif

theyre not as loud as glasspacks, i like the sound and im going to put some on mine when i get an exhaust system.

 

[wallaka]

It was the first lower-restriction muffler design that was also fairly quiet. Originally came on the Buick Jetfire turbocharged cars.

 

[page62]

Walker makes a very nice "turbo" muffler under the Dynomax name. I had a set on my '79 Vette. Very mellow tone that gets throaty when you crack the throttle...

 

[Harte3]

Also, one was designed for the turbo Corvair...but today it's pretty much just a marketing hook word.

 

[yodabiri]

Not to steal the thread, but I have a question about turbo mufflers. Ok I put a turbo muffler behind my 250 ci engine yesterday, and it sounds awesome! Only one problem, from 1000-1500 rpm, there is a really low frequency vibration/howl in the cabin and it can get quite annoying in the city in stop and go traffic. What I did was basically just cut the pipe under the passenger seat and removed the old transverse muffler, and just welded the new turbo muffler in front of the rear axle with a simple turndown. Do I need to go all the way back with a pipe to get rid of the annoying resonance?

Thanks In advance.

 

[wallaka]

Not to steal the thread, but I have a question about turbo mufflers. Ok I put a turbo muffler behind my 250 ci engine yesterday, and it sounds awesome! Only one problem, from 1000-1500 rpm, there is a really low frequency vibration/howl in the cabin and it can get quite annoying in the city in stop and go traffic. What I did was basically just cut the pipe under the passenger seat and removed the old transverse muffler, and just welded the new turbo muffler in front of the rear axle with a simple turndown. Do I need to go all the way back with a pipe to get rid of the annoying resonance?

Thanks In advance.

Probably. Or angling the turndown out the side of the car might help.

 

[CobraSix]

These days, most people use the term "Turbo" muffler as a generic term describing a slightly improved performance muffler. Generally they are a little louder then stock, but still mellow and mild compared to glasspacks and flow masters. I ran the 'quiet' flowmaster 50s for 2 years before I pulled them out to be replaced by turbo mufflers. I love the turbo note. Generic Dynomax turbo mufflers.

Slade

 

[60s Refugee]

Will the muffler have "turbo" or some other identifying marks on it? Manufacturer?
Please go ahead and steal the thread! I am interested in anything I can read about these.
Harry

 

[MustangSix]

Not to steal the thread, but I have a question about turbo mufflers. Ok I put a turbo muffler behind my 250 ci engine yesterday, and it sounds awesome! Only one problem, from 1000-1500 rpm, there is a really low frequency vibration/howl in the cabin and it can get quite annoying in the city in stop and go traffic. What I did was basically just cut the pipe under the passenger seat and removed the old transverse muffler, and just welded the new turbo muffler in front of the rear axle with a simple turndown. Do I need to go all the way back with a pipe to get rid of the annoying resonance?

Thanks In advance.

You need a resonator that will kill that frequency. Two ways to do it.

First (and easiest) way is a conventional resonator inline. You could easily add one at the tailpipe. Something akin to a glasspack would work.

Second way is to add a resonance "chamber" in the exhaust system. By adding a dead end pipe Tee'd into the system you can tune the pitch of the system and eliminate certain harmonics like you're experiencing. You'd have to experiment with the length of the pipe, but think of it like tuning your exhaust note the same way you would a slide trombone. It can be very effective and adds no restriction to the system.

 

[66 Fastback]

Do I need to go all the way back with a pipe to get rid of the annoying resonance?

It would be a safer set up to have the pipe run all the way to the end of the vehicle. And it might help quiet the resonance. But as Jack mentioned you might need a resonator.

Tenneco makes all of the following brands and these are commonly available. Walker/Thrush/Dynomax. They all have turbo mufflers available. Walker is more of the OEM replacements, Thrush a low cost "higher performance" version and the Dynomax line is the premium line.
http://www.dynomax.com/index.html
I just bought some Dynomax Ultra-flow Mufflers to install on my Pontiac to replace some Flowmaster 40's that I hated. Hopefully they will work out well.

Doug

 

[yodabiri]

Would an exhaust tip with a resonator inside help any, or do I need a specially designated chamber just for the resonator?

Thanks!