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Thermal 2.5" vs 3"?

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229
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92
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Location
Jessup, MD, USA
#1
Has anybody heard both in person? What are the differences in sound level, tone, drone?
 

Toadster

Member
Law Enforcement
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Location
Folsom, CA
Vehicle
'23 ExST, '17 Raptor, '16 FoST, FFR Cobra
#2
here's my 2.5
 

Messages
35
Reactions
14
Points
2
Location
Northern Indiana
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#3
That's the one I ordered this week. Any drone at all?
 

Messages
107
Reactions
85
Points
27
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#5
Haven’t heard the 3” in person, but just installed the 2.5” with CVF downpipes on mine and absolutely love it. Great sound, not too loud, and no drone.
 

Messages
35
Reactions
14
Points
2
Location
Northern Indiana
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#6
Haven’t heard the 3” in person, but just installed the 2.5” with CVF downpipes on mine and absolutely love it. Great sound, not too loud, and no drone.
Thanks. The downpipes may get added to my list.
 

Messages
198
Reactions
124
Points
37
Location
Columbus, OH, USA
#7
Best part of the Thermal is how easy it is to install. I did mine today and once the old exhaust was off, it was maybe 45 minutes to put the thermal on with the ST on ramps. First car part I've ever installed without the use of curse words.
 

Messages
51
Reactions
6
Points
7
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#8
Thermal v. Borla S-Type: which is louder? I want something that sounds better than stock but is not too loud in the cab. Thx
 

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
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Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#9
Thermal v. Borla S-Type: which is louder? I want something that sounds better than stock but is not too loud in the cab. Thx
Borla is louder.
 

Messages
35
Reactions
14
Points
2
Location
Northern Indiana
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#10
Just got my ST back from the mechanic, 2.5 Thermal installed. The sound is just sexy as hell... Like others said no drone at any speed up to 120.
 

Messages
203
Reactions
79
Points
27
Location
Columbus, MT, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#11
I have 3in w/stock down pipes and disabled FENG and it sounds perfect
 

Messages
107
Reactions
85
Points
27
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#12
Here’s a couple revs of my Thermal 2.5” with CVF downpipes. Going to work on getting some videos while driving to show how good it sounds.

 

Messages
68
Reactions
10
Points
7
Location
Western New York
Vehicle
20' Explorer ST
#13
I appreciate this. I ordered this solely because of this sound clip! Arrives next week. I have done research with it on stock downpipes (which Is 100% fine for me). I'm glad that their is no drone, I talked to Thermal R&D, and he mentioned that If you want to upgrade downpipes later, they recommend 3" but the reassured me if you "Step" on the accelerator you'll hear the exhaust! LOL. Pumped fr something that isn't the stock one.
 

Messages
17
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Colorado Springs
Vehicle
21 Explorer ST
#14
I have the 2.5 with stock downpipes. Need to disable the FENG today so I can hear it without the fake noise. I really enjoy the cold starts. Also the staggered tips look amazing.
 

Messages
107
Reactions
85
Points
27
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#15
Since this came back up I figured I'd post another video that I took. CVF Downpipes to Thermal 2.5"

 

OP
jwuonog
Messages
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Location
Jessup, MD, USA
Thread Starter #16
Best part of the Thermal is how easy it is to install. I did mine today and once the old exhaust was off, it was maybe 45 minutes to put the thermal on with the ST on ramps. First car part I've ever installed without the use of curse words.
I hope mine goes that smoothly. Mine came in today!
 

Messages
74
Reactions
38
Points
17
Location
Westfield, NJ
Vehicle
2024 Explorer ST
#17
Just got my ST back from the mechanic, 2.5 Thermal installed. The sound is just sexy as hell... Like others said no drone at any speed up to 120.
What happens at 120??? Lol. Thinking of ordering 2.5 thermal as well. Was deciding between awe borla and thermal. Seems like thermal is the quietest which I like. I drive a lot for work and don't want loud exhaust at all.
 

Nealx1

New Member
Messages
10
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Ephrata Pa 17522
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
#18
3" Thermal R&D installed on my 2024 and it purrrrrrsssss
 

Messages
74
Reactions
38
Points
17
Location
Westfield, NJ
Vehicle
2024 Explorer ST
#19
3" Thermal R&D installed on my 2024 and it purrrrrrsssss
I wonder if 3" a lot louder than 2.5". From the videos it's hard to tell but I do like the tone of 3" better. Any thoughts on that. I'm looking for something that will not get annoying on long drives.
 

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
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Nevada
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'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#20
I wonder if 3" a lot louder than 2.5". From the videos it's hard to tell but I do like the tone of 3" better. Any thoughts on that. I'm looking for something that will not get annoying on long drives.
The 3” is definitely louder by quite some margin, I thought the tone between them both were about the same. None will get annoying on long rode trips, at cruising speed they aren’t much louder then stock from what I heard. Around town the 3” will be mildly loud while the 2.5 will be pretty tame until you get on it. Personally, I’d choose the 2.5”, I like quieter exhausts on these cars.
 

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