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Thermal 2.5 or awe 3" exhaust....

Kirk ST

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Pittsburgh, PA, USA
#21
Have had both Thermal exhausts. Zero drone with either, including later after I added CVF downpipes.
what's the upside to the downpipes? I just put the Thermal 2.5 on mine and really like it! thanks!
 

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40
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Location
Arizona
Vehicle
2022 explorer ST
#23
what's the upside to the downpipes? I just put the Thermal 2.5 on mine and really like it! thanks!
Snap crack pops are an upside, A better exhaust note and slightly louder is another . With a tune you net more top end maybe 20-30 whp. Downside if you have emissions in your state they aren’t exactly street legal. The only other downside is taking off the oem pipes is not fun even on a lift.
 

Cruising68

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Chicago, IL, USA
#24
Yeah install not fun. Have had a set in my garage for months waiting for me to install. Also if you get them coated you get a marginal thermal improvement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Messages
3
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Arizona
Vehicle
2023 ST
#25
I have the AWE (No DP) on my 2023 ST and have no issues. No drone and its has a deep "growl" sound on startup and then goes to mild once the computer figures out idle. 50-60mph or whatever gear, there is a higher pitch muffler sound but "it is what it is" on a v6 Ecoboost.
Full throttle sounds fantastic and the cabin sound is minimal. Sport mode, downshift has a nice growling/popping noise as well.

....and those tips!
 

Last edited:
Messages
35
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28
Points
12
Location
Nassau County NY
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#26
Soooooooooo subjective lol. Same awe Exhaust and 2 polar opposite reviews
 

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81
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Location
Somalia
#27
did anyone see on one of the Facebook groups, I dont know if it was Thermal or AWE but ti was an ST and the exhaust was full of water, something about no weep holes, dont know if it was real either
 

Dale5403

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Mondovi, WI, USA
#28
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71
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Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#29
I do agree, but I've also heard the 3" thermal has a drone on the highway. Can you confirm? I met a guy at the "st experience" that had the 2.5 thermal and said absolutely no drone at highway speeds
Zero drone from our 3" Thermal, don't know who told you that.
 

Messages
40
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Location
Arizona
Vehicle
2022 explorer ST
#30
Zero drone from our 3" Thermal, don't know who told you that.
Add the downpipes and drive on the highway uphill it will drone lol, not obnoxious, but bordering on uncomfortable. After about a year I don’t even notice it anymore.
 

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Location
Deerfield beach
Vehicle
Explorer ST
#31
I have the AWE with downpipes, no drone on the highway or cruising at any other speed but you hear the exhaust and you know its there. It's not intrusive and did a road trip with the wife and she never complained. However there is a drone when accelerating slightly aggressively. Basically normal acceleration no drone, a little bit of drone when slightly getting on it, and then screaming eagles when full throttle lol
 

BrooseDaMoose

Active Member
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Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#32
Add the downpipes and drive on the highway uphill it will drone lol, not obnoxious, but bordering on uncomfortable. After about a year I don’t even notice it anymore.
I have the Thermal 3” with SPD 3” down pipes and have no drone at any time! It’s loud at cold start up but quiets right down after about 30 seconds. The only other time it’s loud is if you get into the throttle. Otherwise it’s fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

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50
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20
Points
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Location
Washington State
Vehicle
2020 FORD Explorer ST
#33
I have the Thermal 3” with SPD 3” down pipes and have no drone at any time! It’s loud at cold start up but quiets right down after about 30 seconds. The only other time it’s loud is if you get into the throttle. Otherwise it’s fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Appreciate the read here, I am currently popping in and out of you tube videos listening. Therm seems to be the most popular choice, but I feel like giving the AWE a shot, not only because wife is watching me like a hawk after buying this gem, lol but also because it feels like the underdog. Maybe I'm wrong.
 

Messages
221
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89
Points
27
Location
Jessup, MD, USA
#34
Have had both Thermal exhausts. Zero drone with either, including later after I added CVF downpipes.
I can't decide if I want the 2.5" or the 3". I am mostly concerned about drone. I have down pipes on the way.

What was the difference between them?
 



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