Looking for an Exhaust setup...

MyNameisE · Apr 10, 2023

Hey all!
I love this ST... I'm trying to get some more sound out of it. Is there a setup that I can use that doesn't drone as much?
In my Corvette; I have long tube headers and exhaust, and the drone is unbearable for longer than an hour or so.

I do like the sound clips of the S-Type Borla, but it's $1700 + install.

2020FordRaptor · Apr 10, 2023

Thermal R&D 2.5 is the best choice. Corsa is a very close second. Thermal 2.5 is a too quite for some people, in that case Corsa is the next best one.

Scalarrthu · Apr 11, 2023

I was super happy with my Gibson axle back. Had a deep tone that wasn’t obnoxious when you’d get on it, and it didn’t have any drone. Also one of the cheapest options out there.

Cajun Heat · Apr 11, 2023

MyNameisE said:

I have the Borla S-Type and has zero drone.

MyNameisE · Apr 11, 2023

Cajun Heat said:

Even in Normal/Sport mode?

Cajun Heat · Apr 11, 2023

MyNameisE said:

The drive modes do not change the exhaust note as it is not an active exhaust. Same tone and no drone in every mode.

ataraxia · Apr 11, 2023

The Thermal 2.5 may not be as loud with stock downpipes but I found it obnoxious with CVF downpipes. Had it on for a month and took it off.

A quarter wave resonator will resolve drone if you take the time to figure out the frequency.

SimonsGTS · Apr 11, 2023

Scalarrthu said:

I also have the Gibson and love it...also the wife likes it that's important since it's her daily driver lol!

ridered74 · Apr 11, 2023

Stock downpipes and thermal 2.5 exhaust, zero drone at any rpm. Cruising at 70 mph you don't even hear it.

MyNameisE · Apr 13, 2023

ridered74 said:

Thank you for this! I am going to pick up the Thermal RD 2.5, it sounds amazing on some sound clips. It also looks like it's cheaper than the Borla offering this week, plus free shipping. Huge benefit for us on the opposite side of the country.

CCPluvr · Apr 13, 2023

ataraxia said:

Did it resonate with the CVF downpipes or was it too loud for your taste?
My Thermal 2.5 gets installed tomorrow morning, I'm very anxious to hear it in person. I've been considering downpipes too but can't find any good interior sound clips to know what the difference is after adding them.

MyNameisE · Apr 13, 2023

CCPluvr said:

I just talked to someone who works there, and they mentioned the 2.5 is a good upgrade from stock, if you end up doing downpipes, he recommends the move to 3", it seems 3" is back ordered until the 24th.

UNBROKEN · Apr 13, 2023

MyNameisE said:

The oem 2.25” piping is plenty for everything short of bigger turbos. The larger piping really just changes the sound…bigger tends to equal deeper tone. There’s no performance difference

MyNameisE · Apr 13, 2023

UNBROKEN said:

Most definitely get that. I grabbed the 2.5. I'm looking for better sound over stock, but not too aggressive either. My Corvette, has long tube headers and a cat back magnaflow and for some reason no cats... But anyway, that is LOUD! And drone-y. Excited for little to no drone.

CCPluvr · Apr 14, 2023

Any input on how downpipes sound inside the vehicle?

ataraxia · Apr 17, 2023

CCPluvr said:

It didn't drone, per se, it was just loud in an annoying way. Cold start was fine, idle was fine. Everything else was not what I wanted - like I was trying way too hard to sound like I was going fast all the time - you know those exhausts. Sound is subjective and what may sound fine to lots of others may irritate you...it's hard to say what's good/right because the exhaust change is purely for a change in sound that's pleasing to the person driving the vehicle.

I've got CVF downpipes with the stock exhaust until I get the custom exhaust made. It's not as quiet as 100% stock but it's significantly quieter than it was with the Thermal system.

Another thing I noticed when I removed it: The Thermal system doesn't have weep holes (at least mine didn't) - In the time it was on my vehicle through part of a mild Chicago winter, it retained a lot of water because it has nowhere to go.

I haven't heard the Thermal system on stock cats but I'm sure it'll be quieter.

UNBROKEN · Apr 17, 2023

ataraxia said:

It didn't drone, per se, it was just loud in an annoying way. Cold start was fine, idle was fine. Everything else was not what I wanted - like I was trying way too hard to sound like I was going fast all the time - you know those exhausts. Sound is subjective and what may sound fine to lots of others may irritate you...it's hard to say what's good/right because the exhaust change is purely for a change in sound that's pleasing to the person driving the vehicle.

I've got CVF downpipes with the stock exhaust until I get the custom exhaust made. It's not as quiet as 100% stock but it's significantly quieter than it was with the Thermal system.

Another thing I noticed when I removed it: The Thermal system doesn't have weep holes (at least mine didn't) - In the time it was on my vehicle through part of a mild Chicago winter, it retained a lot of water because it has nowhere to go.

I haven't heard the Thermal system on stock cats but I'm sure it'll be quieter.

Aftermarket systems or just mufflers generally don’t have weep holes. It takes 2 seconds to add them.

MyNameisE · Apr 21, 2023

Okay- So update!

I bought the Thermal R&D 2.5" and I couldn't be HAPPIER! It sounds so damn good for cold starts, and even at temp it sounds great. A few things I've noticed that I think really make this system worth for $1500 -

Sounds bitchin' at cold starts & at temp (as mentioned)
It looks stellar, I kept the stainless steel tips. Didn't come with the black ones, it maybe should have? but not a buzz kill for me. Looks stellar
NO DRONE! Such a big seller for me! You certainly here it more than stock when at speeds, but its not merely as much, due to the solid insulations
When you floor it, it really comes to life! Sound is sooo good. The 3" system would certainly be too much for me
The shipping was solid
Customer Service regarding what I should buy for my needs was stellar, I didn't get his name but he was EXTREMELY helpful!

I'd definitely buy through them again. ++ free shipping & no tax too!! @Thermal R&D

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Looking for an Exhaust setup...

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