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Exhaust Systems

Summary

A muffler is designed to reduce the harsh noise produced by an internal combustion engine. A catalytic converter is a reaction chamber that reduces toxic emissions from engine exhaust. Both components are required on motor vehicles in the United States and in most other countries.

Some motorists modify their vehicles by installing aftermarket exhaust systems or tampering with catalytic converter components in order to produce a louder or more aggressive exhaust sound.

An excessively loud exhaust can be heard and felt over a wide distance, rattle windows, and transmit vibration through walls and structures.

Flowmaster “American Thunder” 40 Series

Marketed by the manufacturer as “the most aggressive sound street and strip muffler in Flowmaster’s product line.”

Industry

Major sellers of aftermarket exhaust systems include Flowmaster, MagnaFlow, and Borla. Flowmaster markets its performance exhaust systems as producing “an aggressive muscle car sound.”

Aftermarket exhaust systems are heavily promoted through custom car magazines, auto racing events, and product placement on cable television programs such as Horse Power and Muscle Car, which aired on Spike TV.

These companies are members of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a trade organization representing manufacturers, dealers, and installers. SEMA has actively lobbied against proposed noise-pollution ordinances in communities across the United States. The organization established the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus to advance its legislative agenda and has also mobilized automotive enthusiast clubs to advocate on related political issues.

See Also

Health
Health impacts, decibel basics, and major agency findings on sleep disruption, stress, and learning effects.