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Hate my 3" thermal exhaust

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#1
I just installed the 3" Thermal exhaust with midpipes and I hate it. Obnoxiously loud and the ST is a slug now. Going back the stealthy stock exhaust.
 

2020FordRaptor

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#2
I just installed the 3" Thermal exhaust with midpipes and I hate it. Obnoxiously loud and the ST is a slug now. Going back the stealthy stock exhaust.
Wow. I'm sorry that you didn't like it. Wait, you had midpipes also? Doesn't that remove the resonator? Im sure it wouldn't be as loud if you pit the stock resonator back on.
 

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Columbus, MT, USA
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#3
Really? Interesting.........Did you test 0-60 before and/or 1/4mi time to substantiate the change?
 

TMac

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#4
Does anyone really think a dual 3" system is going to make their car faster?
 

TMac

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#6
Unfortunately, I'm sure you're right!
 

OP
J
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Thread Starter #7
I will do a dragy pull Monday. But it is too loud and obnoxious. I used to love on-ramps, but now it feels like a slug instead of a rocket. I think the larger pipes have robbed a bunch of torque.
 

zdubyadubya

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#8
I will do a dragy pull Monday. But it is too loud and obnoxious. I used to love on-ramps, but now it feels like a slug instead of a rocket. I think the larger pipes have robbed a bunch of torque.
that's not how physics works.
 

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#10
I don't think it will do anything for performance (good or bad)! So surprised the OP claims it loses power and/or torque. If It drowns out the FENG on acceleration I call it a win.....lol
 

TMac

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#11
FWIW, velocity is important in an exhaust system as is heat retention. The larger the cross-sectional area and the higher the surface area the lower the velocity. A dual 3" system may give you the sound you want, but it's not a performance enhancer.
Here are two posts on the subject:
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/...-a-performance-exhaust-system.2775/post-33847
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/...-a-performance-exhaust-system.2775/post-43705
 

Last edited:
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Philadelphia, PA, USA
#12
I just installed the 3" Thermal exhaust with midpipes and I hate it. Obnoxiously loud and the ST is a slug now. Going back the stealthy stock exhaust.
Does it drone?

Define obnoxiously loud
 

CareerFiremanGuy

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#13
I don't think it will do anything for performance (good or bad)! So surprised the OP claims it loses power and/or torque. If It drowns out the FENG on acceleration I call it a win.....lol
The vast majority of ST reviews I've seen all love the FENG.

that's not how physics works.
It could indeed be from that, as physics shows a free flowing exhaust could lower exhaust temps making for slightly slower spool up on the turbos.
 

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Cincinnati, OH, USA
#14
Wow. I'm sorry that you didn't like it. Wait, you had midpipes also? Doesn't that remove the resonator? Im sure it wouldn't be as loud if you pit the stock resonator back on.
the OEM midpipes only have flex setions, no resonators. Both OEM and Thermal have a sinlge resonator and a muffler on each outlet. This is what helps keep Thermal systems quiet compared to others.

OP, aftermarket exhaust will not do much in terms of gains. The only reason I changed mine is because the OEM flex sections rattled like crazy, the OEM welds were prone to cracking, and the fake tips drove me nuts.
 

Boss240

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#15
I will do a dragy pull Monday. But it is too loud and obnoxious. I used to love on-ramps, but now it feels like a slug instead of a rocket. I think the larger pipes have robbed a bunch of torque.
Did you ever do the Dragy run to see if it was actually slower?

I'll take it off your hands if you don't want it anymore lol
 

OP
J
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Thread Starter #16
the OEM midpipes only have flex setions, no resonators. Both OEM and Thermal have a sinlge resonator and a muffler on each outlet. This is what helps keep Thermal systems quiet compared to others.

OP, aftermarket exhaust will not do much in terms of gains. The only reason I changed mine is because the OEM flex sections rattled like crazy, the OEM welds were prone to cracking, and the fake tips drove me nuts.
That is the main reason I changed mine also. I realize there is a compromise with the sound. I love the sound at idle and cruising, but when you want to go fast, it is really loud. I paid $1848 shipped from Lethal, so I guess I will try it for a while. Maybe I can find a quieter mid muffler.
 

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#17
That is the main reason I changed mine also. I realize there is a compromise with the sound. I love the sound at idle and cruising, but when you want to go fast, it is really loud. I paid $1848 shipped from Lethal, so I guess I will try it for a while. Maybe I can find a quieter mid muffler.
have you disabled FENG? I think my FenFab catted DPs + 2.5" Thermal is more quiet than FENG in Sport mode.
 

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Charlotte, NC, USA
#18
Quieter mid-muffler might be the fix. I installed a magnaflow 5x8x18. Added a shuttle deeper tone at idle. Back in the day I had a 67 GTO with headers and reverse flow mufflers running through 2" pipes. Back then scavenging effect was important to flow and performance. Turbos may be different. My point is 3" on an engine half the size of a 6.5 ltr would seem to be over kill and potentially have some negative performance aspects. Just my old gear head observation.
 

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usa
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2022 Explorer ST
#19
I just installed the 3" Thermal exhaust with midpipes and I hate it. Obnoxiously loud and the ST is a slug now. Going back the stealthy stock exhaust.
Hey I have a nearly brand new Borla S-type less than 300 miles on my 2022 ST would you like to trade?
 

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usa
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2022 Explorer ST
#20
Hey I have a nearly brand new Borla S-type less than 300 miles on my 2022 ST would you like to trade?
I just saw you won’t ship so never mind thanks.
 



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