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The Thermal R&D cat back exhaust PREMIER!

Super G

Super G

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twin001 said:
Man I need a lift! Yeah, install was very easy. Longest part was explaining to my wife what I was doing. I need to adjust mine a little still. Driver side is just a few MM lower than the pass side.

your description on the sound is dead on. Very tame when normal driving, but screams when you get in it.
Click to expand...
Ha! My buddy and I nearly died trying to pry the stock center mid muffler from the stock mount! Then we tried unbolting the center exhaust mount instead but it has a tricky “T” wing/retainer!! That itself took about 1hr. The rest of uninstall was simple as was the install.
My drivers side is more like 1in lower. I got an old exhaust mount from my old Subie Forester I may swap to see if it’ll raise it without having the exhaust hit the rear trans.
 

Mobius87

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Super G said:
Ha! My buddy and I nearly died trying to pry the stock center mid muffler from the stock mount! Then we tried unbolting the center exhaust mount instead but it has a tricky “T” wing/retainer!! That itself took about 1hr. The rest of uninstall was simple as was the install.
My drivers side is more like 1in lower. I got an old exhaust mount from my old Subie Forester I may swap to see if it’ll raise it without having the exhaust hit the rear trans.
Click to expand...
The whole thing from the mid muffler back comes out in one piece. I unbolted the rear hangers and sprayed some dishsoap/water in the mid hangers and it came right out.

As for the driver side muffler, make sure it is rotated into the proper position. Loosen the clamp just behind the muffler and rotate it so the muffler body is parallel with the underside of the vehicle. If this is off, the outlet pipe won't be aimed in the right spot which throws off the tip placement. Adjust as necessary.
 

sambopr

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Package received, time to get to work..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

S

ShaunJ

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Ordered on Sunday and receive today. I plan on installing on Sunday.
 

sambopr

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Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Chrisicle

Chrisicle

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sambopr said:
Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I order fenfab a couple weeks ago so I look forward to there arrival. I've read fabfab has better quality, but I cannot confirm or deny that claim. I personally went with fenfab because its a Michigan company and I'm from Michigan, I actually live in the Detroit area a few miles from there location. I'm a strong believer in supporting my Michigan companies.
 

twin001

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I'm not saying quality on one is better than the other, but I would argue if anyone said their DPs were higher quality than Fenfab. Brett doesn't cut corners. Materials of construction are top notch, welds are done right (purged), and his craftsmanship is top-tier. You won't go wrong with Fenfab DPs.

After a few weeks of driving with the Thermal installed I noticed the tone did mellow down very slightly. I went back through and retightened all of the bolts and put some blue Loctite on them. A bolt on one of the tip clamp was coming loose pretty bad.
 

S

ShaunJ

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sambopr said:
Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Easy install, took 2 hours, start to clean-up. Looks the same as Sambopr's, same color and all.
 

T

Tommyc

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Well 5000 miles after install and still sounds awesome with no backed out bolts! So worth the cost!

Tommy
 

sambopr

sambopr

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twin001 said:
I'm not saying quality on one is better than the other, but I would argue if anyone said their DPs were higher quality than Fenfab. Brett doesn't cut corners. Materials of construction are top notch, welds are done right (purged), and his craftsmanship is top-tier. You won't go wrong with Fenfab DPs.

After a few weeks of driving with the Thermal installed I noticed the tone did mellow down very slightly. I went back through and retightened all of the bolts and put some blue Loctite on them. A bolt on one of the tip clamp was coming loose pretty bad.
Click to expand...
What did they run you? I’ll wait for your feedback after install and all


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twin001

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sambopr

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Chrisicle

Chrisicle

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F=MA

F=MA

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02 extenders should be in a small envelope-like package with the downpipes.
 

twin001

twin001

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Chrisicle said:
Did you get the catted or catless? I ordered the catted and received them today but I’m not seeing by 02 extenders. those were suppose to come with correct?
Click to expand...
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter that doesn’t require the defoulers.
 

Last edited:
Chrisicle

Chrisicle

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twin001 said:
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter than doesn’t require the
Click to expand...
twin001 said:
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter than doesn’t require the defoulers.
Click to expand...
I called Brett at fenfab and he confirmed the new catted downpipes do not need defoulers/extenders because he is in fact using a new cat. He said he just hasn’t gotten around to updating the listing.
 

F=MA

F=MA

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Will the rear wind deflector still fit between the Thermal R&D rear mufflers/resonators? Looks like it should.

deflector.JPG
 

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