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Thermal 2.5 vs Borla Type S

which echaust are you currently running?


  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .
Messages
134
Reactions
44
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
#1
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
 

Messages
388
Reactions
338
Points
67
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#2
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
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
 

Messages
391
Reactions
360
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#3
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.
 

Messages
298
Reactions
219
Points
37
Location
Utah
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum
#4
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.
 

OP
S
Messages
134
Reactions
44
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
Thread Starter #5
@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

1000 Post Club
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710
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162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#6
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
I'd get the Thermal 3". Best sounding exhaust in my opinion. Borla isn't bad either. Can't go wrong with either.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,587
Reactions
5,362
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#7
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.
 

OP
S
Messages
134
Reactions
44
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
Thread Starter #8
Well thats it, thermal 2.5 it is. Thanks all again for your input on the subject.
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
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Exploder
#9
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.
 

OP
S
Messages
134
Reactions
44
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
Thread Starter #10
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

1000 Post Club
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#11
2.5.
 

F=MA

Active Member
Messages
947
Reactions
623
Points
232
Location
Wichita, KS, USA
#12
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.
 

Messages
51
Reactions
6
Points
7
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#13
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.
 

Messages
239
Reactions
146
Points
37
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicle
2022 ST
#14
Im trying to find a balance between deep exterior sound but not too much cabin sound.
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

1000 Post Club
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Location
Utah
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#15
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

New Member
Messages
5
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Schaumburg, IL, USA
Vehicle
2023 Ford Explorer ST
#16
Outstanding quality on Borla S and sound is perfect for me with no drone
FB_IMG_1678915481246.jpg
 

Messages
107
Reactions
82
Points
27
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#17
Im trying to find a balance between deep exterior sound but not too much cabin sound.
That’s how the Gibson axle back was when I had it installed on my ST. Really liked the way it sounded!
 

Messages
51
Reactions
6
Points
7
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#18
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
Thanks (good video). Let me know if you ever post one from in the cab. (y)
 

Messages
51
Reactions
6
Points
7
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#19
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!
 

Messages
51
Reactions
6
Points
7
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#20
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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