The Best Muffler for a V6 – Top 7 Reviewed

Even though a muffler seems like a simple component, what happens inside the muffler is quite fascinating.

Designing a muffler requires dozens upon dozens of calculations and even a slight tweak in design could result in a whole different sound. 

Now, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when choosing a muffler, especially when there are so many things you should take into consideration. And, it certainly doesn’t help when there are a handful of car enthusiasts that dislike the sound of a V6 and claim that it can not sound good, however, that’s simply wrong. The V6 is a baby V12 and with the right muffler choice, a V6 engine will sound great and turn heads on the streets.

So, without further ado, here are the best sounding mufflers for V6 engines.

Related: The Best Mufflers for V8

The Best Mufflers for a V6

Advertising	Best Performance Flowmaster 953047 Super 40	Loudness: 5 (Moderate) Design: Chambered Rich & Deep Tone	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Best Value TOTALFLOW Single Chamber Universal Muffler	Loudness: 7 (Moderately Loud) Design: Chambered Deep Rumble	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Aggressive Sound Flowmaster 943045 Super 44	Loudness: 8 (Loud) Design: Chambered Loud & Agressive High-Performance Sound	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Best Looking Borla 400286 ProXS	Loudness: 6 (Moderate) Design: Turbo Deep & Low Rumble	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Best Flowing MagnaFlow 10416	Loudness: 8 (Loud) Design: Glasspack Deep High-Performance Tone	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Loudest Cherry Bomb 7426 Extreme	Loudness: 9 (Very Loud) Design: Chambered Loud Muscle Car Rumble	Check Price On Amazon*
Advertising	Most Aggressive Thrush 17658 Welded Muffler	Loudness: 8 (Loud) Design: Chambered Signature Muscle Car Growl	Check Price On Amazon*

Flowmaster 953047 Super 40 – Best Performance

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If you are looking for the best performance muffler for a V6, then this could be the ideal option for you. It comes with a larger case profile that gives you the best of both worlds. With this muffler, you are going to get both an aggressive deep sound, and performance.

The Super 40 gives a richer and deeper exhaust tone compared to the Flowmaster’s Original 40 Series. In addition to that, the Super 40 also gives you the benefits of low to moderate interior resonance and performance thanks to the Delta Flow technology. 

Build Quality

It is made of 16 gauge aluminized steel and is fully MIG welded. This makes it more durable than the other options on the market, thus it’s the perfect choice for high-performance V6 cars. The total weight of the muffler is around 4.54 kg and its dimensions are 54.6 x 27.3 x 15.2 cm. Just like most other mufflers, it has a black exterior.

Another thing to note is that it also comes with a 1-year warranty to give you the confidence that this muffler is not only great-sounding but also reliable.

Key Features:

• Chambered design
• Durable, MIG welded jacket
• Deep rumble
• Designed for 3” exhaust pipes

TOTALFLOW Single Chamber Universal Muffler – Best Value

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For those who are looking for something more budget-friendly, the TOTALFLOW Single Chamber Universal Muffler is a great option.

TOTALFLOW is one of the leading brands in the market. They are known to manufacture and deliver high-quality products to customers. Coming from such a reputed brand, you can fully trust the quality of the product. Despite the low price tag, these are one of the most advanced products listed on the market.

TOTALFLOW gives you full freedom when choosing from their selection of mufflers. The mufflers come in a variety of configurations – from single 2.5” inlet and outlet to 3” offset inlet and center outlet.

These mufflers are designed for different vehicle applications to produce a distinct sound of your choice. It can range from mild to loud and aggressive tones. You can get the muffler in stainless steel, aluminized steel, or polished stainless-steel construction. This makes the muffler more durable and long-lasting.

Build Quality

These are universal single chamber street mufflers made with durable 409 stainless steel. Not just that but they are also fully MIG welded to make them long-lasting. You can get the muffler in stainless steel, aluminized steel, or polished stainless-steel construction.

This makes the muffler more durable and long-lasting.

With this muffler, you can get an aggressive exterior exhaust tone and also a noticeable interior resonance that won’t annoy you or your passengers. The dimensions of the muffler are 12.5 x 9.5 x 4 inches.

With that said, the drawback of this muffler is that the installation requires a bit more effort. It takes some amount of adaptation to get the muffler in place. This 2.5-inch center muffler made from heavy gauge material is one of the best options you will find out there for a V6 engine.

Key Features:

• Aggressive exterior sound and noticeable interior resonance
• Universal fitment
• Made from heavy-gauge material for durability

Flowmaster 943045 Super 44 – Aggressive Sound

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The Super 44 series mufflers are the most aggressive and deepest-sounding high-performance 2-chamber street mufflers ever built by Flowmaster.

It is the perfect option for those who want a rich-sounding and long-lasting muffler for their V6. Just like with any other Flowmaster muffler, you will get both high performance and aggressive sound from this product.

This muffler is designed to give you a deep aggressive exhaust note that perfectly complements the firing order of a V6. Not just that but it also delivers a noticeable interior resonance.

The product is backed by a 3-year limited warranty by the manufacturer. This is provided to make your purchase risk-free. The warranty period for this product is longer than other products on the market.

Build Quality

The Flowmaster Super 44 is a durable fully welded 16ga aluminized steel muffler. It weighs only 454 g and has a product dimension of 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm. The muffler is perfect for high-boost and performance cars as it does not contain any internal fiberglass packaging to blow out. It is also equipped with race-proven patented Delta technology.

Key Features:

• Very aggressive, deep sound
• No internal packaging
• Race-proven patented Delta Flow technology
• Two-chamber design

Borla 400286 ProXS – Best Looking

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BORLA Turbo XL Mufflers are known for their excellent street performance. They are designed with aircraft-quality austenitic stainless steel. They also have an all-welded construction for increased durability. With this muffler, you can get increased horsepower and torque. 

These mufflers are put to independent tests to prove their maximum flow capability. Because of the increased maximum flow capability, the Borla Turbo XL Muffler is the perfect fit for higher displacement V6 engines. They can also be used for smaller motors up to small-block V8s.

Borla mufflers are equipped with high-performance technology. Despite that, they are available at a reasonable rate. So, if you are looking for an affordable option and want great sound and high performance, then you already know which muffler brand to go for.

Build Quality

The best thing about these mufflers is that they are made from aircraft-quality T-304 stainless steel. They are also rust-resistant and are designed to give you more power and are capable of improved fuel economy. With this muffler system, you can also extend the life of your engine. 

The good thing is that these mufflers are available in a variety of outlet and inlet configurations. If you want to witness a supreme street performance, then you should opt for these mufflers. The inlet is 2.5” and the dimensions are 19 X 9.5 X 4 inches.

Key Features:

• Aircraft quality T-304 stainless steel
• All-welded construction offers increased horsepower and torque
• Each muffler is tested independently to provide maximum flow

MagnaFlow 10416 – Best Flowing

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MagnaFlow makes the list with their outstanding glasspack muffler. This muffler is designed for performance at wide-open throttle and offers a deep tone and rumble at all rev ranges. They are available in different configurations and sizes to fit your needs. 

Build Quality

With this universal muffler, you get increased flow and power, combined with excellent sound. They are made from stainless steel which makes them more durable than the other options available on the market. Most of these systems come with a perforated stainless-steel core and a large diameter to ensure unrestricted flow and great sound control. 

All contact points are welded and lap-jointed to avoid cracking at the seams, which is not uncommon on low-end mufflers. You can get the mufflers in a wide range of inlet/outlet diameters, quantities, finishes, and shapes, so make sure you choose the right configuration for your car.

All these mufflers come with an open performance design and are designed for signature deep-tone sound. The muffler has a 2.5” inlet and outlet with the dimensions of 35.6 x 10.2 x 10.2 cm and weighs 9.8 pounds.

Key Features:

• Stainless steel construction
• Engineered for performance and maximum airflow
• Gives a loud, deep sound
• Made in the U.S.A

Cherry Bomb 7426 Extreme – Loudest

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Cherry Bomb is a company that has been in business for the past 40 years. For all these years, they have been consistently providing popular, quality exhaust systems and mufflers.

They have their business and stores spread all over North America and are one of the most recognized brands in the market. They offer exhaust systems and mufflers with various configurations and have a wide variety of options to choose from.

Cherry Bomb Extreme mufflers come with a unique wing plate design. These mufflers are designed to emphasize more on exhaust flow than sound control. This is the perfect solution for those who are looking for a durable muffler for a V6.

Build Quality

The Cherry bomb mufflers are 100% welded and are made of aluminized steel. For increased durability, they are also finished with a high-temperature red coating. These mufflers are non-reversible because of their custom-tuned flow design and are mainly meant for racing and off-roading applications.

This muffler has an oval shape, 2.5” inlet and outlet, and dimensions of 12 x 4 x 9.75 inch.

Key Features:

• Short body size and unique wing plate design
• 100% welded jacket
• Loud and aggressive sound

Thrush 17658 Welded Muffler – Most Aggressive

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Thrush mufflers have a cult following for a reason. The company has been manufacturing outstanding quality mufflers since 1966 and they are very popular among classic V6 muscle car owners.

They are 100% welded for durability and are also designed with an aluminized cover to make them resistant to corrosion. Thrush Welded mufflers come with a classic Thrush Logo embossed on the cover of the muffler.

The Thrush Welded muffler will produce a deep performance tone under acceleration, which is quiet and pleasant when cruising at lower RPMs. For added style, these mufflers come with a classic Thrush Logo embossed on the cover of the muffler.

Build Quality

As the name of the muffler implies, they are 100% welded for durability and are also designed with an aluminized cover to make them resistant to corrosion.

These mufflers have a two-chamber design that delivers a deep aggressive tone – the perfect choice for a Mustang. They have a high-temperature polished metallic finish and a non-reversible directional flow and are available in a 19-inch overall length.

The product dimensions are 20 x 10 x 5 in and weigh around 9 lbs.

Key Features:

• Fully Aluminized construction for durability
• Non-reversible design
• Available in a variety of inlet/outlet sizes

What to Look for When Buying a Muffler for a V6

Muffler Type

The sound and performance of a muffler depend on its type and design. A straight-through muffler is the best option for performance as it provides minimal resistance to the flow of exhaust gases, however, less resistance to flow makes the straight-through muffler the loudest of the bunch. Chambered and turbo mufflers create much more restriction and dissipate the sound waves better, thus they are much quieter.  

Build Materials

A muffler is constantly exposed to outside elements and heat; thus, a muffler needs to be made out of durable materials. Mufflers are most commonly made from aluminized or stainless steel. Aluminized steel, being the cheapest of the two, does not resist corrosion as well compared to stainless steel.  

Fitment

Mufflers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s recommended to check if the muffler of your choice will fit in place of the stock muffler before making a purchase, however, it’s possible to fit any muffler into any car with some modifications – check in with your custom exhaust shop if needed.

Difference Between Muffler Types for a V6: Straight-Through, Chambered and Turbo

There are three main types of mufflers on the market. Here are the differences between and advantages of the three:

Straight-Through

Also known as a glasspack muffler, because of the fiberglass material inside the muffler, the straight-through muffler is as simple as the name implies.

The bulk of the exhaust gases are allowed to move straight through the muffler, however, a portion of the exhaust gases make their way through the inner perforated pipe and get dampened inside a fiberglass material.

The advantage of such a design is that these mufflers allow maximum airflow and performance. Because of that, straight-through mufflers are the loudest, which could be a disadvantage to some buyers.

Chambered

The chambered mufflers sit between straight-through and turbo mufflers when it comes to the noise level. They are quieter than straight-through mufflers but still produce a deep and aggressive exhaust note.

As the name implies, these mufflers use chambers to bounce sound waves and condition their wavelength. Certain wavelengths get canceled out (the annoying frequencies that you’d often see on ricers, mainly), putting an emphasis on deep rumble and reducing dBs.

Chambered mufflers are capable of manipulating sound frequencies; thus, they are capable of bringing out the best notes from the engine. Because of that, they are a great choice for street muscle cars.

Turbo

The turbo muffler is a combination of the straight-through/glasspack and chambered mufflers. They channel exhaust gases through a series of pipes, filter them through chambers and fiberglass.

Because of the restrictions found in these mufflers, they are generally not recommended for use in naturally aspirated engines, as these mufflers create considerably more backpressure. The turbo mufflers are the quietest of the three.

For more information on the fascinating science behind the design of car mufflers, I’d highly recommend Episode No.505 – Mufflers & Silencers by How a Car Works on YouTube:

Eddie Westheimer

Eddie is the co-founder of CarCareCamp.com, and the site’s primary contributor.

Under his belt, Eddie has a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Electronics Engineering and almost a decade of experience working as a  semi-truck technician (specializing in electrics).