Please excuse my ignorance! but what's the difference between a muffler and a resonator? What function do each perform?
Really nothing, becuz all a resnator is, is a straight thru muffler with 2 outlets. For example, the race series Magnaflows have a straight thru design just like the Magnaflow resanators. The only difference is, is that the race series mufflers have tips, and the resanators have 2 outlets for piping.
I think functionally they are quite similar, both dampen sound by restricting air flow rate.
The difference in name is defined by the location i the exhaust system really. Resonators are generally found in the middle of the exhuast system under the cabin as they are there to reduse RESONANCE in the cabin aka, drone. Eseentially it is a muffler. "Mufflers" when people talk about them generally refer to the ones at the back of the car which are used to muffle the exhaust sound.