What is a resonator and why do you need it?

The exhaust system is one of the most complex parts of a car. An exhaust system is made up of several parts, including the manifold, flex pipe, catalytic converter, insulators, mufflers, and what people often don't know much about, the resonator. An exhaust system is designed to improve the performance and safety of a car, and this is partly the result of a resonator. 

The purpose of the muffler-like resonator is to change the noise of the engine before exiting the car. Then many will ask: “What is the difference between a resonator and a silencer? Why do I need a resonator? And how does the resonator interact with the rest of the exhaust system? So, the Performance Muffler team is ready to answer these important questions. 

What does a resonator do?

Since the car can make a lot of noise, some parts are built into the exhaust system to reduce excessive noise. This is where the resonator comes into play. In the exhaust system, the resonator is located directly in front of the muffler and helps the muffler to reduce vehicle noise. 

The resonator will change the sound so that it can be more effectively "muffled" by the muffler. Specifically, acoustic engineers designed it as an echo chamber to suppress certain audio frequencies. Another way to think about it is that the resonator prepares the noise before it hits the muffler. 

What is the difference between a resonator and a muffler? 

There is one key difference between a resonator and a muffler, a muffler reduces the volume of an engine, while a resonator simply changes the sounds of the engine. The resonator and muffler work as a duo to change and reduce the wavelength produced by the engine before they leave the car. Without them, your car would be excessively loud. 

Should I have a resonator?

You may be reading this and, like many gearboxes, are wondering "Do I need a resonator?" That's a good question, because you don't even need a silencer. You can remove it with what is called "silencer removal". And the same is true for the resonator: you don't need this, especially if you don't have a muffler. 

By getting rid of the muffler, you will get the best performance and sound of a racing car. By getting rid of the resonator, you reduce the weight of your car and change the sound of the engine that comes out. But a word of caution: if part of the exhaust system is missing, the engine may not pass the emissions test. That's why it's important to talk to the professionals first before you remodel your car. After all, many will leave the car as it is, but the resonator certainly will not damage the car and, if desired, it can be removed. 

Final thoughts to resonate with

When dealing with a resonator, you can simply think of it as a "pre-silencer". It helps the muffler work by preparing and modifying sounds first, and then canceling and reducing them. And if you don't need a muffler, then you certainly don't need a resonator either, but it all depends on how you want your car to be modified and run. 

About performance silencer

Of course, when it comes to any work on your car's exhaust system, there are a lot of moving parts involved. You can change it for more noise, less noise, or perfect noise. There are other things to change the sound of the exhaust, including the layout of the exhaust system itself (dual or single exhaust system) and the exhaust tips. 

If you need experts you can trust when it comes to your vehicle, Performance Muffler. Since 2007 we have been the premier exhaust system shop in Phoenix and pride ourselves on being the best.