Abstract: A two-piece, stamped muffler having an integrally-attached aerodynamic shield having a flat bottom shape is disclosed. The muffler may be formed with a substantially flat lower surface. The aerodynamically-improved muffler set forth herein is provided as an aerodynamic shield that is incorporated into an extended flange provided in the shell blank, as a deflector that is attached to a muffler lower shell body and the clamshell flange such as by welding, that is separately attached to the clamshell flange only such as by welding, or that is separately attached to the lower shell only, again possibly by welding. For dual stamped mufflers, the shield may be used jointly with an incremental shield separate from, or integrated into, the spare tire well to connect the twin dual muffler shields to achieve vehicle aerodynamic requirements. A muffler having the aerodynamic shield deflects underbody air flow outside of the rear fascia cavity.

Abstract: An isolator is disclosed for attaching an exhaust system to a frame pin on a vehicle frame. The isolator includes a vibration damping body that defines a frame pin receiving opening and an exhaust pin receiving opening. A tab is provided on an upper end of the vibration damping body that is manually engaged to bend the upper end of the body away from and toward the frame pin to facilitate inserting the frame pin in the frame pin receiving opening.

Abstract: A two-piece, stamped muffler having an integrally-attached aerodynamic shield having a flat bottom shape is disclosed. The muffler may be formed with a substantially flat lower surface. The aerodynamically-improved muffler set forth herein is provided as an aerodynamic shield that is incorporated into an extended flange provided in the shell blank, as a deflector that is attached to a muffler lower shell body and the clamshell flange such as by welding, that is separately attached to the clamshell flange only such as by welding, or that is separately attached to the lower shell only, again possibly by welding. For dual stamped mufflers, the shield may be used jointly with an incremental shield separate from, or integrated into, the spare tire well to connect the twin dual muffler shields to achieve vehicle aerodynamic requirements. A muffler having the aerodynamic shield deflects underbody air flow outside of the rear fascia cavity.

Abstract: An isolator is disclosed for attaching an exhaust system to a frame pin on a vehicle frame. The isolator includes a vibration damping body that defines a frame pin receiving opening and an exhaust pin receiving opening. A tab is provided on an upper end of the vibration damping body that is manually engaged to bend the upper end of the body away from and toward the frame pin to facilitate inserting the frame pin in the frame pin receiving opening.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle; and a bezel in close proximity with, or coupled to, a vehicle fascia, the bezel comprising rearmost surfaces and inner surfaces. The exhaust assembly further includes a sleeve substantially aligned with the pipe, tangentially aligned with the inner surfaces. The sleeve extends rearward, flush with, sub-flush with, or past an exhaust plane tangent to the rearmost surfaces of the bezel.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a muffler shield includes a shield body extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a middle portion positioned between first and second side portions along a transverse direction, a cross-section of the middle portion and at least one of the first and second side portions respectively defining a middle profile and a side profile shorter than the middle profile.

Abstract: A muffler shell is formed from a sheet metal blank. The shell comprises a tubular body section which is rolled into a tube so that a first edge of the blank can be welded to an intermediate seam line across the blank. An aerodynamic shield extension projects integrally from the tubular body section between the intermediate seam line and a second edge of the blank to cover a gap between the muffler and adjacent structures when installed on a vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle; and a bezel in close proximity with, or coupled to, a vehicle fascia, the bezel comprising rearmost surfaces and inner surfaces. The exhaust assembly further includes a sleeve substantially aligned with the pipe, tangentially aligned with the inner surfaces. The sleeve extends rearward, flush with, sub-flush with, or past an exhaust plane tangent to the rearmost surfaces of the bezel.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a muffler shield includes a shield body extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a middle portion positioned between first and second side portions along a transverse direction, a cross-section of the middle portion and at least one of the first and second side portions respectively defining a middle profile and a side profile shorter than the middle profile.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle into an exhaust passage, and a fascia coupled to the vehicle defining the exhaust passage. The exhaust assembly further includes a bezel defining an exhaust opening substantially aligned with the pipe, and a sleeve configured within the exhaust opening, which may define an exhaust plane. The sleeve extends rearward, flush or sub-flush, with the rearmost portion of the exhaust opening or exhaust plane, and substantially parallel to an exit portion of the pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a muffler comprising an enclosure. The enclosure, in one example, may include a relatively thin volume fittable under a preselected feature of a vehicle, and at least one relatively thick volume fittable alongside the preselected feature. The enclosure may also include an exhaust gas entry port and a tailpipe exit port. In one example, partitions may be within the thin volume forming an expansion chamber at the entry port and a tailpipe extension at the exit port.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly is provided that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle into an exhaust passage, and a fascia coupled to the vehicle defining the exhaust passage. The exhaust assembly further includes a bezel defining an exhaust opening substantially aligned with the pipe, and a sleeve configured within the exhaust opening. The sleeve extends rearward to at least the rearmost portion of the exhaust opening and substantially parallel to an exit portion of the pipe. The exhaust opening may further define an exhaust plane tangent to rearmost portion of the bezel, and the sleeve may extend at least to this plane. An upper sleeve may also be configured to extend at least to a line tangent to the rearmost surfaces of an upper bezel and perpendicular to the upper sleeve.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle into an exhaust passage, and a fascia coupled to the vehicle defining the exhaust passage. The exhaust assembly further includes a bezel defining an exhaust opening substantially aligned with the pipe, and a sleeve configured within the exhaust opening, which may define an exhaust plane. The sleeve extends rearward, flush or sub-flush, with the rearmost portion of the exhaust opening or exhaust plane, and substantially parallel to an exit portion of the pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly is provided that includes an exhaust pipe extending rearward from a vehicle into an exhaust passage, and a fascia coupled to the vehicle defining the exhaust passage. The exhaust assembly further includes a bezel defining an exhaust opening substantially aligned with the pipe, and a sleeve configured within the exhaust opening. The sleeve extends rearward to at least the rearmost portion of the exhaust opening and substantially parallel to an exit portion of the pipe. The exhaust opening may further define an exhaust plane tangent to rearmost portion of the bezel, and the sleeve may extend at least to this plane. An upper sleeve may also be configured to extend at least to a line tangent to the rearmost surfaces of an upper bezel and perpendicular to the upper sleeve.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: An engine exhaust component is provided. The engine exhaust component may include a plurality of coolant passages having parallel coolant flow, each coolant passage at least partially surrounding a respectively corresponding exhaust runner. The engine exhaust component may further include a coolant inlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages and a coolant outlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages. In this way, more even and controlled cooling can be provided.

Abstract: An engine exhaust component is provided. The engine exhaust component may include a plurality of coolant passages having parallel coolant flow, each coolant passage at least partially surrounding a respectively corresponding exhaust runner. The engine exhaust component may further include a coolant inlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages and a coolant outlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages. In this way, more even and controlled cooling can be provided.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a catalytic converter assembly to a muffler and tailpipe assembly includes first and second flexible portions, and a middle portion disposed between the flexible portions. The middle portion includes a catalyst element for modifying exhaust gases passing from the catalyst assembly to the muffler and tailpipe assembly.