Thermal 2.5 vs Borla Type S

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 2, 2022

hey all,
Lethal is running a labor day sale storewide and im looking at picking up an exhaust. ive narrowed it down the the Thermal 2.5 and the Borla type S, does anyone have experience with either, im leaning more twards the thermal but im reluctant due to the possibility of highway drone, the 400 dollar differnece is also a factor.
thanks in advance

Blown F-150 · Sep 2, 2022

StoneColdBlue22 said:

Everything I have read and heard, leads me to say that the thermal will have zero drone. Like none.

[mention]GearHead_1 [/mention] has firsthand experience

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MikeyP · Sep 2, 2022

Definitely zero drone on the Thermal 2.5. Very happy with it.

Now if the Thermal 3.0 was available at the same time, I would have gone with that for the slightly deeper sound.

PlatinumST · Sep 2, 2022

My thermal 2.5 has zero drone. All the reviews and experiences I found before getting it reported the same. I got the full thermal system including mid pipes to eliminate future issues with the OEM flex pipes. Like @MikeyP, I would go the Thermal 3" route of I were to do it again. I may actually sell my 2.5" system in favor of the 3" system anyway. I recognize neither system will add any performance, but I sure do love the lower tones of the 3", though admittedly the 2.5" sounds phenomenal as well.

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, the Borla system is made with 2.25" pipe compared to the Thermal 2.5". Not sure if that makes a difference to you or not.

At the end of the day, I think it comes down to personal preference. Though I will say, none of the sound clips I found online did the Thermal system justice. It sounds so much better in person. Same is likely true of the Borla system as well.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 2, 2022

@PlatinumST @MikeyP @Blown F-150 thanks for the replies guys, im leaning twards the thermal, the 3 inch is out of my price range and does seem abit louder than id like

2020FordRaptor · Sep 2, 2022

StoneColdBlue22 said:

I'd get the Thermal 3". Best sounding exhaust in my opinion. Borla isn't bad either. Can't go wrong with either.

UNBROKEN · Sep 2, 2022

Thermal is the better option. Full 2.5” including mid-pipes where Borla is a 2.25” mid-pipe back system leaving the problematic oem flex joint in place.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 2, 2022

Well thats it, thermal 2.5 it is. Thanks all again for your input on the subject.

GearHead_1 · Sep 2, 2022

I was coming home the other night and a half dozen of my neighbors were out shooting the breeze. I pulled up and got out to talk with them. My neighbor came to me and straight aways said "man that's got a good snarl." The most important part of having the Thermal R&D system for me is that my wife digs it. Believe me when I tell you that if it had a drone, she would have let me know about it. It's a quality set-up.

StoneColdBlue22 · Sep 2, 2022

GearHead_1 said:

I was coming home the other night and a half dozen of my neighbors were out shooting the breeze. I pulled up and got out to talk with them. My neighbor came to me and straight aways said "man that's got a good snarl." The most important part of having the Thermal R&D system for me is that my wife digs it. Believe me when I tell you that if it had a drone, she would have let me know about it. It's a quality set-up.

Do you have a 3 or 2.5?

GearHead_1 · Sep 2, 2022

F=MA · Sep 2, 2022

Thermal 2.5 has no highway drone. I currently have it installed. I have had Borla S Type and Magnaflow in the early days on my 2020 Explorer ST. Magnaflow was the only one with a pronounced highway drone.

MilosDad627 · Apr 6, 2023

PlatinumST said:

My thermal 2.5 has zero drone. All the reviews and experiences I found before getting it reported the same. I got the full thermal system including mid pipes to eliminate future issues with the OEM flex pipes. Like @MikeyP, I would go the Thermal 3" route of I were to do it again. I may actually sell my 2.5" system in favor of the 3" system anyway. I recognize neither system will add any performance, but I sure do love the lower tones of the 3", though admittedly the 2.5" sounds phenomenal as well.

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, the Borla system is made with 2.25" pipe compared to the Thermal 2.5". Not sure if that makes a difference to you or not.

At the end of the day, I think it comes down to personal preference. Though I will say, none of the sound clips I found online did the Thermal system justice. It sounds so much better in person. Same is likely true of the Borla system as well.

Im trying to find a balance between deep exterior sound but not too much cabin sound.

mycbtech · Apr 6, 2023

MilosDad627 said:

with my Thermal 3 you get a deep exterior sound as shown in my video below but you do get a fair amount of cabin sound tbh. My GF said the other day "why does your car always sound like you're going so fast even though you're not?"

https://youtube.com/shorts/naj5Dc9NZ84?feature=share

GearHead_1 · Apr 6, 2023

There are others who'd disagree but I've been very pleased with my Thermal 2.5. A little noise when the skinny petal is on the mat but nothing annoying in the cabin. That said, we all have different tastes when it comes to an exhaust note.

If you like the stock sound stay with what you have, you're not gaining any HP with the aftermarket exhaust until you add a few aftermarket goodies (tune). If you looking for a bit more without going overboard sound and a different visible aesthetic then I believe Thermal's system to be a good option.

Kainsel · Apr 7, 2023

Outstanding quality on Borla S and sound is perfect for me with no drone

Scalarrthu · Apr 7, 2023

MilosDad627 said:

That’s how the Gibson axle back was when I had it installed on my ST. Really liked the way it sounded!

MilosDad627 · Apr 7, 2023

mycbtech said:

Thanks (good video). Let me know if you ever post one from in the cab.

MilosDad627 · Apr 7, 2023

GearHead_1 said:

There are others who'd disagree but I've been very pleased with my Thermal 2.5. A little noise when the skinny petal is on the mat but nothing annoying in the cabin. That said, we all have different tastes when it comes to an exhaust note.

If you like the stock sound stay with what you have, you're not gaining any HP with the aftermarket exhaust until you add a few aftermarket goodies (tune). If you looking for a bit more without going overboard sound and a different visible aesthetic then I believe Thermal's system to be a good option.

Thanks!

MilosDad627 · Apr 7, 2023

I like the Thermal also, but is the sound signature much different between the 2.5 and 3? And (being new) I see a lot of clamps on the Therma. Isn't that an issue (or at least a potential issue)?

Thank you,

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