3" Thermal vs. AWE?

[Supreme Ruler]

With all the videos of exhaust sounds it makes it very hard to tell who is loud and who is crap. I'm leaning towards the 3" AWE system, but I'm a drag racer at heart and like the bark of a good exhaust that sounds good. What is the feedback from the group?
Thanks

 

[2020FordRaptor]

They’re both going to be great exhausts. Thermal and awe are going to be perfect exhausts, and sound great without drone. I’ll break them both down for you:

Common points: both won’t drone, will have a great tone, and are made of great material.

awe: Slightly deeper tone, better looking bigger exhaust tips, better connectors (doesn’t really matter but I like the design better)

Thermal: Cheaper, better sounding IMO, and better sounding with downpipes if you get those eventually.

I would choose the awe solely based on the exhaust tips if you aren’t going to get downpipes, but downpipes are a great upgrade performance wise so it’s your decision what root you want to go. With downpipes the Thermal is the better of the two.

 

[Supreme Ruler]

AWE & Down pipes, I like it. Thank you!

 

[jwuonog]

I was strongly considering the AWE, but I ultimately went with the Thermal. I'm very pleased with it. There's no drone when cruising, and it has a nice deep tone.

From sound clips, the AWE sounds a little more "exotic" and deep.

I chose thermal because I have their 3" on my focus st, and I was very pleased with that sound. It was also on sale for black Friday/November.

 

[flhx06]

I ordered the AWE a little over 2 weeks ago. Waiting for it to ship so I can get it installed!

 

[Shanekacz]

I'm looking at getting the AWE. I'm trying to meet up with one of the ST owners this weekend to hear them in person before I make my purchase.

 

[FG24ST]

With all the videos of exhaust sounds it makes it very hard to tell who is loud and who is crap. I'm leaning towards the 3" AWE system, but I'm a drag racer at heart and like the bark of a good exhaust that sounds good. What is the feedback from the group?
Thanks

I am running the AWE with CVFab downpipes. No issues. Only negative thing I have seen about the Thermal is the finish coming off on their black tips.

 

[Mighty]

I'm looking at getting the AWE. I'm trying to meet up with one of the ST owners this weekend to hear them in person before I make my purchase.

did you hear the 3inch in person? i am looking for someone before i pull the trigger. im in morgan hill so san jose is not to far plese let me know

 

[flhx06]

I just installed the AWE on mine. Love the way it sounds. Great low rumble, no drone and not loud at all in the cabin but you know its there. Not super aggresive but a great sound. And great quality all the way through all of the components.

My office is in San Mateo if any local members want a listen.

 

[dragon434]

I just installed the AWE on mine. Love the way it sounds. Great low rumble, no drone and not loud at all in the cabin but you know its there. Not super aggresive but a great sound. And great quality all the way through all of the components.

My office is in San Mateo if any local members want a listen.

do u have downpipes on it also?

 

[flhx06]

No downpipes. Only engine mod is the intercooler.

 

[Suprawill1]

Thanks for the info on these choices!
Being as I have Stage 5 turbos and DPs, I'm looking to go to a higher performance than stock exhaust. That points me toward the 3" variety. Question is, can I get that upgrade "without" increasing the in cabin volume? I saw flhx06 mention that the AWE is not loud at all in the cabin but that is a subjective call. Was there any increase from stock and if so, how much? I just like a quiet ride when I'm not on it and especially when listening to music. It was also stated that the AWE was a little deeper sounding which would point me more toward the Thermal. Not as concerned with the sound as I am the quietest.
Thanks again for your thoughts!

 

[flhx06]

I wish I could hear a Thermal in person to get a comparison because I don't want to steer anyone in the wrong direction but I feel like the AWE is pretty mild but sounds good. You know you're getting on it when you do, but normal driving is very pleasant. I spend a lot of time in my car and a lot of time on the phone. I normally make calls with one earbud in but have also made a few calls through the vehicles system and have had no issues.

Hope this helps!

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Thanks for the info on these choices!
Being as I have Stage 5 turbos and DPs, I'm looking to go to a higher performance than stock exhaust. That points me toward the 3" variety. Question is, can I get that upgrade "without" increasing the in cabin volume? I saw flhx06 mention that the AWE is not loud at all in the cabin but that is a subjective call. Was there any increase from stock and if so, how much? I just like a quiet ride when I'm not on it and especially when listening to music. It was also stated that the AWE was a little deeper sounding which would point me more toward the Thermal. Not as concerned with the sound as I am the quietest.
Thanks again for your thoughts!

I would definitely think there’d be a noticeable increase in sound in the cabin with any 3” exhaust especially with downpipes.

 

[dragon434]

I would definitely think there’d be a noticeable increase in sound in the cabin with any 3” exhaust especially with downpipes.

im kinda stuck between the two also, I dont know if adding downpipes would cause either of them to drone or not. Also whats up with those awe dyno results are they legit??

 

[2020FordRaptor]

im kinda stuck between the two also, I dont know if adding downpipes would cause either of them to drone or not. Also whats up with those awe dyno results are they legit??

The Thermal won’t drone at all with downpipes, and I’m pretty sure the awe won’t either. I highly doubt those awe dunk results are true, it’s proven that exhausts don’t do anything for these vehicles without being FBO. 12 hp could just be a difference in variables, it’s not that much.

 

[Suprawill1]

I would definitely think there’d be a noticeable increase in sound in the cabin with any 3” exhaust especially with downpipes.

Thanks.
Kinda figured the 3" pipe variety would add some in cabin sound but just wasn't sure how much difference the muffler/resonator combo would counter the volume.