Truck Mufflers 2023 Our Picks | Tufftruckparts.com

Your truck muffler is the most valuable part of the exhaust system. Not only can it boost your truck’s performance, but it also creates that sound that turns heads. Your stock muffler might restrict the truck’s performance while reducing the sound. Of all the aftermarket truck parts you are looking to upgrade, the muffler should be your top choice. With the best truck mufflers of 2023, you can perform a simple modification to improve efficiency, elevate the sound quality and boost performance.

Why Invest in the Best Truck Mufflers?

Upgrading to a truck performance exhaust provides several benefits. First, you can enjoy increased horsepower, offering a boost to the truck’s performance. In addition, an aftermarket truck muffler can eliminate backpressure, which allows more air to travel through the exhaust. The result of this extra airflow is better performance and increased efficiency. Finally, performance mufflers change the exhaust tone to create a more aggressive grumble.

Truck Muffler Buying Guide

Type

You have three main muffler types to consider: straight-through, chambered and turbo. Straight-through truck mufflers contain a straight pipe that moves gasses through it faster, without blockage or backing up. These mufflers are meant to be loud and high-performing. The chambered muffler moves the gas through inner chambers that vibrate sound waves around. The result is a throaty grumble instead. The turbo muffler is a mixture of the two. It uses S-chambers to channel gas. Through the tubes, the sound-deadening construction reduces the noise to lessen the sound. 

Construction

The truck muffler is going to see a lot of abuse, so it must be made from durable materials. Most mufflers are constructed from some kind of steel. Aluminized steel costs the least, but it does corrode easily. If you want protection from corrosion, spend extra and get a stainless steel muffler.

Compatibility

Truck performance mufflers are not universal. There’s no one-size-fits-all option to choose from. Instead, you need to pick your performance muffler based on the truck you drive. At TuffTruckParts, we make it simple to find the exhaust that fits your truck. Simply enter the year, make, model and engine type of your truck for a list of what is compatible.

Local Laws

Before you purchase a truck performance muffler, you want to look up local exhaust laws. If you buy a truck performance exhaust that’s too loud, you could face a large fine if a cop wants to enforce the laws.

Price

It’s simple to find a truck muffler to fit any budget. For truck mufflers under $50, expect to get a simple replacement made from cheaper materials. However, a mid-range muffler is going to have a more aggressive sound and better construction. If cost is not a concern, go all-out with a top brand and premium materials. Not only can you experience the best performance, but the sound will be idyllic and it will last longer than other options.

3 Best Truck Muffler Reviews

#1 BORLA Mufflers

BORLA truck mufflers are all constructed from durable T-304 stainless steel. Additionally, the company only uses a straight-through design, ensuring that the exhaust never gets hung up in baffles or chambers. Because of this design, every truck muffler is reversible.

Probably the most known BORLA muffler is the Pro-XS. It will never rust and is 100% welded for additional strength. Plus, it contains high-temperature continuous-filament fiber (CFF) material to create better sound control. You can choose a natural mill finish that’s either polished or brushed for the perfect look.

BORLA CrateMufflers are another variety to consider. These are not universal but created to work with your custom-built or crate engine. You can choose from three sound technologies among this lineup, including Touring, S-Type and ATAK. If you’ve built your own truck engine, these are the mufflers you want to complete the exhaust with.

BORLA truck mufflers are available for a variety of brands. Whether you drive a Chevy, Ford, RAM, GMC, Toyota or Nissan, there’s a performance muffler waiting for you.

#2 Flowmaster Mufflers

If you are looking for variety, Flowmaster has got it. In fact, from mild to wild, Flowmaster has you covered. There are multiple options for every truck you could drive, so choosing might be slightly more difficult.

The 40 Series Original is the muffler that started everything. It features an aggressive tone, often referred to as the “Flowmaster Sound.” There’s also the Flowmaster Delta Flow 40 Series to consider. This performance truck muffler contains two chambers to generate scavenging that reduces interior sound and increase performance. As a step up, Flowmaster offers the 50 Series Delta Flow with a moderate exterior tone, thanks to some innovative technology.

If you are performing tough jobs, you can’t sacrifice quality. That’s where the 50 Series HD mufflers come in. It contains four-inch internal components to increase mileage, horsepower and torque, with a focus on improving acceleration and towing power. Whether you drive a gas or diesel heavy-duty truck, there’s a muffler for you.

Flowmaster also creates a Super series of mufflers. The Super 40 uses Delta Flow technology and has a sleek, black case to keep the resonance down while still promoting a deep exterior tone. In comparison, the Super 44 Series is the more aggressive of the lineup of two-chamber street mufflers. You can choose the 409SS stainless steel or 16-gauge aluminized steel option, complete with Delta Flow Technology and a MIG-welded construction. Finally, the Super 50 Series, which was once the 50 SUV, has a larger case size and bigger tuning chambers for unparalleled exhaust flow.

#3 Magnaflow

Whether you are heading off-road or you participate in truck racing, you know Magnaflow has your back. The company’s lineup of mufflers isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but also creates a deep signature sound. Off-road travel requires a more durable muffler, which is exactly what Magnaflow offers. Each option is made from high-quality stainless steel for extreme durability.

Magnaflow mufflers will improve the truck’s overall speed and you can find one for every model. Not only that, but the company provides a limited lifetime warranty for your peace of mind. Every option is rated by interior and exterior sound, making it simple to find exactly what you are looking for.

After installing a Magnaflow muffler, keep in mind that it may take up to 400 miles before you hear the tuned sound. However, once everything has settled, you will be able to sit back and feel good about that loud exhaust you installed. The straight-through design ensures that performance and sound are not hindered.

5 Ways to Increase Truck Horsepower

It doesn’t matter if your truck is already a powerhouse; there’s always more you can get out of it. Aside from installing the best truck mufflers, consider these five modifications to increase power.

1. Dump Extra Gear

While this simple step isn’t going to increase your horsepower, it will make your engine run efficiently. For every pound of cargo that’s in your truck, your engine requires more power to move. As an example, 100 pounds of gear can decrease efficiency by up to 2%. That makes a big difference. Clean out your truck today and stop carrying excessive cargo.

2. Install a Cold-Air Intake

Aftermarket cold-air intakes are going to improve efficiency. As the engine runs better, you gain more power. Plus, you can count on the more aggressive tone as you remove the baffling of the stock intake.

3. Configure an Engine Tuner

The automaker didn’t ship your truck out with the best engine tuning in mind. Instead, it’s designed to shift smoothly, run efficiently and operate quietly. With some simple reprogramming with an aftermarket performance programmers, you can maximize your motor’s potential. 

4. Install a Turbo Kit

Your truck wants an aftermarket turbocharger for several reasons. Not only does it create more efficiency, but it creates a better response from your big truck engine.

5. Install a Supercharger

There’s also the option to choose an aftermarket supercharger, which is better than a turbo in some respects. First, you won’t have to deal with the dreaded turbo lag. Plus, the supercharger tends to be more reliable. Boost your truck’s power with a compatible supercharger kit.

FAQs

What’s the best muffler for a truck?

It depends on what you are looking for. In most cases, we prefer the BORLA, Flowmaster and Magnaflow options, mainly because of durability, performance and exhaust tones. Between these three brands, you can find the muffler that suits your trucking needs.

How much is a muffler for a truck?

You can easily find truck mufflers for less than $100. However, many of these aren’t going to offer a massive performance boost or change the exhaust note much. If you are looking for maximum performance and you want a low grumble, be prepared to pay more.

Does the muffler affect gas mileage?

Anytime you replace the stock exhaust with an aftermarket muffler or a cat-back system, you create less restriction of the gasses. This upgrade allows the engine to breathe better and improves efficiency. While nothing was added to your engine, you will notice more power and the performance is unleashed.

Is taking your muffler off bad?

Your truck’s exhaust system is designed for proper emissions and engine performance, but that ends at the muffler. The truck muffler's only job is to change the sound of the engine as it is amplified through the exhaust. Because of this, you could remove the muffler without causing any damage. All you will notice is a louder sound and more performance.

Final Thoughts

Truck performance mufflers come in a variety of options, so there’s something to fit your exhaust needs. It’s time to take your trucking to new 2023 heights. All of these great performance mufflers and exhaust brands can be purchased from the number one ranked company in the world for custom truck parts. Tufftruckparts.com