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EXHAUST RECCOMENDATIONS/REVIEWS

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ScottyTee

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So many posts scattered around, just wanted to see peoples different opinions on exhausts for the 25 ST..gunna be my first actual upgrade. Thanks in advance guys
 

Gadgtfreek

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The Thermal 2.5" has a great tone on cold start and when you get on it — aggressive enough to enjoy, but not over the top. At highway speeds (around 80 mph), it’s practically nonexistent. If you’re looking for more volume and presence, the Thermal 3" is the way to go.
 

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ScottyTee

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Gadgtfreek said:
The Thermal 2.5" has a great tone on cold start and when you get on it — aggressive enough to enjoy, but not over the top. At highway speeds (around 80 mph), it’s practically nonexistent. If you’re looking for more volume and presence, the Thermal 3" is the way to go.
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Thanks for the insight, I want a good sound but I don't want my neighbors to absolutely despise me when I get into my neighborhood lol. Looking for a "good" loud but not obnoxious....and obviously the performance side of it as well.
 

Gadgtfreek

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That’s what I notice with the 2.5". Cold start sounds good, but it’s not over the top — which I appreciate since I’m leaving for work at 5 AM every day. After owning two GTs with Borla setups… those definitely had the potential to piss off the neighbors.
 

UNBROKEN

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ScottyTee said:
Thanks for the insight, I want a good sound but I don't want my neighbors to absolutely despise me when I get into my neighborhood lol. Looking for a "good" loud but not obnoxious....and obviously the performance side of it as well.
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There is no “performance side” to a cat-back on these cars. It’s a sound mod only.
 

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ScottyTee

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UNBROKEN said:
There is no “performance side” to a cat-back on these cars. It’s a sound mod only.
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Mostly new to this, is this because of the factory tune? Not expecting anything major but I've always assumed 10-15hp (not saying its alot but its not zero) when upgrading stock exhaust?
 

Gadgtfreek

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These EcoBoost engines don’t really gain much from exhausts or CAIs — they’re already designed well from the stock form. Those upgrades are mainly for sound/looks. If you want real performance gains, tuning is the easiest way to add 40–100 hp. After that, you start getting into the bigger stuff. Prob the two best "firsts" that make a usable difference on these are tunes and a rear sway bar.
 

UNBROKEN

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ScottyTee said:
Mostly new to this, is this because of the factory tune? Not expecting anything major but I've always assumed 10-15hp (not saying its alot but its not zero) when upgrading stock exhaust?
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These cars come with dual 2.25” from the factory. That will support any and all mods short of fuel and turbos…and even that’s questionable. High flow catted downpipes are good for 20ish HP. The cat-back is good for effectively zero.
 

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ScottyTee

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UNBROKEN said:
These cars come with dual 2.25” from the factory. That will support any and all mods short of fuel and turbos…and even that’s questionable. High flow catted downpipes are good for 20ish HP. The cat-back is good for effectively zero.
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Gotcha makes sense, eventually going full bolt on/tune but exhaust is gunna be the first mod. appreciate the insight!
 

2020FordRaptor

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ScottyTee said:
So many posts scattered around, just wanted to see peoples different opinions on exhausts for the 25 ST..gunna be my first actual upgrade. Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...
Thermal 2.5” would be the best option IMO. They are 20% off right now too.
 

jeffreybehr

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Thermal's 2.5"
system sounded EXCELLENT on my '23--a little more sound overall and NO DRONING.. I just ordered another for my '25.
 

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Steevo9k

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jeffreybehr said:
Thermal's 2.5"
system sounded EXCELLENT on my '23--a little more sound overall and NO DRONING.. I just ordered another for my '25.
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What do you mean by Droning?
 

GearHead_1

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Continual low humming sound at certain RPM's or speed. Monotonous and annoying, you can almost feel it. Thermal is not known for this problem, I can verify that with their 2.5" exhaust.
 

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Steevo9k

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Does installing aftermarket exhaust mess with the car warranty?
 

UNBROKEN

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Steevo9k said:
Does installing aftermarket exhaust mess with the car warranty?
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As long as you stick to a cat-back system, it shouldn’t affect any warranty except the factory exhaust.
 

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Steevo9k

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Ok, thanks alot!
 

jeffreybehr

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GearHead_1 said:
Continual low humming sound at certain RPM's or speed. Monotonous and annoying, you can almost feel it. Thermal is not known for this problem, I can verify that with their 2.5" exhaust.
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YUP!! ESPECIALLY annoying to me.., TY Gear... .
 

Combatvet

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Whatever you do don't add catted downpipes with the Thermal 3", there is some drone when cruising at 80+.
 

enphor

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Gadgtfreek said:
These EcoBoost engines don’t really gain much from exhausts or CAIs — they’re already designed well from the stock form. Those upgrades are mainly for sound/looks. If you want real performance gains, tuning is the easiest way to add 40–100 hp. After that, you start getting into the bigger stuff. Prob the two best "firsts" that make a usable difference on these are tunes and a rear sway bar.
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I'd have to update your comment to "tuning and a intercooler upgrade". It is a waste of money to throw a tune on a stock ST without first upgrading the intercooler if you ask me. The stock IC is ridiculously under sized and will heat soak the first 100ft of a WOT run causing the engine to detune itself to compensate for increased intake temps really hampering any tune.

You can do an IC, tune, rear swaybar and you have 90% of the performance increase and best bang for buck handling increase you are going to get without touching the fuel system and turbos or other fancy suspension parts. Edit I have to add subframe lockouts, they are AMAZING for the ST!

For OP if you just want sound, go cat-back and call it a day. Exhaust other than also doing downpipes with other supporting mods won't help your performance. If you are really chasing actual performance then what I typed above stands in my book anyway.
 

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