Quietest low-profile muffler?

Hey guys, I'm trying to find the QUIETEST low-profile (4" thick) muffler for my truck. I've searched the forum but am still seeking suggestions if anyone has comparative experience with these options in a stock exhaust configuration with a stock v6.

I currently have a Flowmaster 40 Delta, which was chosen by a prior owner. I actually installed the current one, after the last one rusted, without giving it much thought. It's not overtly obnoxious, but over the years I've come to wish it were quieter. I do a lot of back-country exploring, and needlessly loud exhaust disturbs the tranquility. The worst is actually engine-braking, which is like half the time in 4lo terrain. Way louder than it ought to be.

The problem is, I can no longer fit an OEM style muffler under the truck. I need something that is 4" thick. Here's a (not very good) photo of the current muffler, for reference ... the reason I can't swap in a stock muffler is because there's a big water tank right above it:



Anyway, I'm considering the following, and seeking other suggestions:
- Flowmaster 50 Delta, 17"L triple chamber
- Borla ProXS (40665, 19"L) straight-thru with acoustic packing ... not sure of material.
- Magnaflow 11256 (18"L), similar to Borla, but packing is stainless mesh
- Hush Thrush, turbo-style, only 14"L, and a bit too thick, but apparently designed to be quieter?

Engine is stock, with stock cats and pipes. Imagine you are peacefully camped out in the back country, and I am lumbering by at 2AM in search of my own spot. You can't fix my poor time management skills, but you can pick which muffler I have. What's your choice?

 

Finally a good thread after 16 years. I cannot help you with specifics, but I laud your intent.

 

If you want quieter, can you fit a longer muffler in there so there is more sound deadening in can? Meaning a muffler that is 20"+ in length but 4" thick?

I have magnaflows on a couple vehicles but I did prefer the acoustic sound of the mufflers from the following.

Www.wickedflow.com
Www.thermalrd.com

 

Thanks! I've actually only been on the forum for maybe 7 years, but I'm glad to have finally made a good thread.

Thanks, I'll check those out. Agreed that longer would be quieter for any given type, I think the above listed are the longest available for each brand but ill widen the search to other brands. The current one is 13" and from my photos it looks like I could go to 20", or even longer if I start from scratch at the flange.

 

Not specifically helpful, but I had a Thrush Turbo muffler on my old CRV and I really liked how quiet it was while still having a good growl. I imagine something from Thrush that is designed to be quiet would sound pretty good too.

 

I wonder if doubling up works. Many cars have two mufflers but that is on dual exhaust tips with one on each rear section.

Also consider a resonator.
My TRD catback probably doesn’t apply here because the muffler on it is large.
It had drone and putting on a

$124 Vibrant 1141 2.5' Ultra Quiet Resonator, Silver

Vibrant 1141 resonator fixed that.

 

IIRC, the TRD exhaust cans are made by Bosal.

Spintech Mufflers have also gotten good reviews. Was it you @12TRDTacoma ?

I also like what @dirtydeeds is doing with exhaust systems and hemholtz resonators.
https://dirtydeedsindustries.com/

 

Spintech's were one of the ones I recommended some time back but jury is out if they will drone or not. It all depends on location of the muffler and piping forward of it which will help negate or reduce the amount of drone it will produce.

I run Black Widows which I still am to this day. They have been pretty quiet but they sound awesome from the outside when I get on it. I'm sure you've heard them.

 

New here, been lurking and reading since I bought my 07 but haven’t had much info to share but I went through searching for a quiet muffler last year. Truck had a 40 series on it and I didn’t like it. I went with this. Sounds as good without sounding all tuner-ish. Not too loud, if you got AT or MT tires you won’t notice it much cruising.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17748

Don’t have a pic but I turned it up on it’s side instead of laying flat like normal. It fits fine and may help with your low profile issue, although ut isn’t too thick. Again I’m new here and to Tacomas so may not be helpful hahaha!