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Thermal 2.5" vs 3"?

OP
jwuonog
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Thread Starter #21
I just installed the 3" last night. My driver side downpipe ripped. It's hanging on by a thread.

Even with that huge leak, the exhaust system is pretty quiet when not getting on it.
 

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Location
Westfield, NJ
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2024 Explorer ST
#22
The 3” is definitely louder by quite some margin, I thought the tone between them both were about the same. None will get annoying on long rode trips, at cruising speed they aren’t much louder then stock from what I heard. Around town the 3” will be mildly loud while the 2.5 will be pretty tame until you get on it. Personally, I’d choose the 2.5”, I like quieter exhausts on these cars.
Thank you. Decision made, will be ordering 2.5".
 

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Location
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#23
Do we get any special pricing on thermal for explorerst.org? Thank you
 

2020FordRaptor

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#25
Do we get any special pricing on thermal for explorerst.org? Thank you
Not that I know of. Tyler Clark has his promo code that should save you some too.
 

Mako

New Member
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Canada
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2025 Explorer ST
#26
Does anyone know if the 2.5" comes with the new tips?
 

OP
jwuonog
Messages
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Location
Jessup, MD, USA
Thread Starter #27
Does anyone know if the 2.5" comes with the new tips?
It doesn't look like it does, or they just didn't update their site.

I'd ask them.

I have a feeling they don't. The new tips are 3" diameter, not 2.5".
 

Messages
34
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Location
So Cal
#28
I just pulled the trigger on Thermal 3", a Black Friday (tylerclark) deal of $1344 +tax
 

SoySauceSoakedSaltine

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U.S. Air Force Veteran
Law Enforcement
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South Carolina
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2025 Explorer ST, 2022 Charger Hellcat
#29
Got the 3" Thermal put on the other day. Sounds pretty good.
 

caslim

New Member
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Riverside
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2021 explorer st
#30
Okay. Little bit different scenario here. I was able to get a hold of Box 2 of the 3" kit. Found it on marketplace for next to nothing. Basically, I have all the parts after the mid muffler. I tried calling Thermal to see if they would sell Box 1 separately, but no go.

Any thoughts on going from the stock pipes up to the 3" and just finishing out the system with the mufflers and tailpipes? I have the 2.25 to 3 inch adapter to connect. Main goal is to gain better sound.
 

2020FordRaptor

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#31
Okay. Little bit different scenario here. I was able to get a hold of Box 2 of the 3" kit. Found it on marketplace for next to nothing. Basically, I have all the parts after the mid muffler. I tried calling Thermal to see if they would sell Box 1 separately, but no go.

Any thoughts on going from the stock pipes up to the 3" and just finishing out the system with the mufflers and tailpipes? I have the 2.25 to 3 inch adapter to connect. Main goal is to gain better sound.
Worth a shot. Could always just get a Borla or Vibrsnt etc. resonator if the stock resonator is too loud.
 

Messages
74
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Location
Westfield, NJ
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2024 Explorer ST
#32
Personally, I don't like the sound of any axle-back ST exhausts. Mid muffler make a huge difference.
 

caslim

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2021 explorer st
#33
Well, it was a huge success. Perfect sound. Once I tune, I'll most likely finish it out, but for now it satisfies.
1000000125.jpg
 

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588
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Location
Maryland
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2020 Explorer ST
#34
From what I gathered in this thread, the 2.5" is quieter but ... is it a performance upgrade or just a sound enhancer? Isn't the stock exhaust a 2.5"? My goal is to make sure the Stage 5 turbos and DPs are breathing better but at the quietest choice.
 

Messages
79
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Location
Southern New Jersey
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
#35
From what I gathered in this thread, the 2.5" is quieter but ... is it a performance upgrade or just a sound enhancer? Isn't the stock exhaust a 2.5"? My goal is to make sure the Stage 5 turbos and DPs are breathing better but at the quietest choice.
I think the stock pipes are about 2 1/4” and are made of the worst metal. Ford must’ve found the cheapest metal and said let’s use this for the exhaust.

I am running CVfab down pipes and thermal 2.5”. You can definitely hear the turbos.

https://youtube.com/shorts/cjXh4Kz3TJM?feature=shared
 

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#36
From what I gathered in this thread, the 2.5" is quieter but ... is it a performance upgrade or just a sound enhancer? Isn't the stock exhaust a 2.5"? My goal is to make sure the Stage 5 turbos and DPs are breathing better but at the quietest choice.
The stock exhaust is 2.25 IN, and unless your FBO like yourself there isn’t any gains. I would like to see if there is a difference between 2.5 and 3 in variants if they make a difference for FBO. I’m not sure myself.
 

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588
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Location
Maryland
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2020 Explorer ST
#37
The stock exhaust is 2.25 IN, and unless your FBO like yourself there isn’t any gains. I would like to see if there is a difference between 2.5 and 3 in variants if they make a difference for FBO. I’m not sure myself.
Drawing a blank here. Can you refresh me on FBO? Thanks! :)
 

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Virginia
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2020 XLT
#40


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