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The Thermal R&D cat back exhaust PREMIER!

Super G

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U.S. Army Veteran
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Man I need a lift! Yeah, install was very easy. Longest part was explaining to my wife what I was doing. I need to adjust mine a little still. Driver side is just a few MM lower than the pass side.

your description on the sound is dead on. Very tame when normal driving, but screams when you get in it.
Ha! My buddy and I nearly died trying to pry the stock center mid muffler from the stock mount! Then we tried unbolting the center exhaust mount instead but it has a tricky “T” wing/retainer!! That itself took about 1hr. The rest of uninstall was simple as was the install.
My drivers side is more like 1in lower. I got an old exhaust mount from my old Subie Forester I may swap to see if it’ll raise it without having the exhaust hit the rear trans.
 

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Location
CA
Ha! My buddy and I nearly died trying to pry the stock center mid muffler from the stock mount! Then we tried unbolting the center exhaust mount instead but it has a tricky “T” wing/retainer!! That itself took about 1hr. The rest of uninstall was simple as was the install.
My drivers side is more like 1in lower. I got an old exhaust mount from my old Subie Forester I may swap to see if it’ll raise it without having the exhaust hit the rear trans.
The whole thing from the mid muffler back comes out in one piece. I unbolted the rear hangers and sprayed some dishsoap/water in the mid hangers and it came right out.

As for the driver side muffler, make sure it is rotated into the proper position. Loosen the clamp just behind the muffler and rotate it so the muffler body is parallel with the underside of the vehicle. If this is off, the outlet pipe won't be aimed in the right spot which throws off the tip placement. Adjust as necessary.
 

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Location
Elizabeth, NJ, USA
Package received, time to get to work..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ShaunJ

New Member
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Media, PA, USA
Ordered on Sunday and receive today. I plan on installing on Sunday.
 

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65
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Location
Elizabeth, NJ, USA
Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

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Location
Detroit, MI, USA
Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I order fenfab a couple weeks ago so I look forward to there arrival. I've read fabfab has better quality, but I cannot confirm or deny that claim. I personally went with fenfab because its a Michigan company and I'm from Michigan, I actually live in the Detroit area a few miles from there location. I'm a strong believer in supporting my Michigan companies.
 

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Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
I'm not saying quality on one is better than the other, but I would argue if anyone said their DPs were higher quality than Fenfab. Brett doesn't cut corners. Materials of construction are top notch, welds are done right (purged), and his craftsmanship is top-tier. You won't go wrong with Fenfab DPs.

After a few weeks of driving with the Thermal installed I noticed the tone did mellow down very slightly. I went back through and retightened all of the bolts and put some blue Loctite on them. A bolt on one of the tip clamp was coming loose pretty bad.
 

ShaunJ

New Member
Messages
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Location
Media, PA, USA
Done. Easy as can be to install. Sounds nice and mild. Should get even better after break in. Now to decide between the Fen Fab downpipes or SPD …. Damn decisions…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Easy install, took 2 hours, start to clean-up. Looks the same as Sambopr's, same color and all.
 

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58
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27
Location
South Palm Beach, FL, USA
Well 5000 miles after install and still sounds awesome with no backed out bolts! So worth the cost!

Tommy
 

Messages
65
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32
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17
Location
Elizabeth, NJ, USA
I'm not saying quality on one is better than the other, but I would argue if anyone said their DPs were higher quality than Fenfab. Brett doesn't cut corners. Materials of construction are top notch, welds are done right (purged), and his craftsmanship is top-tier. You won't go wrong with Fenfab DPs.

After a few weeks of driving with the Thermal installed I noticed the tone did mellow down very slightly. I went back through and retightened all of the bolts and put some blue Loctite on them. A bolt on one of the tip clamp was coming loose pretty bad.
What did they run you? I’ll wait for your feedback after install and all


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Messages
354
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248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Messages
65
Reactions
32
Points
17
Location
Elizabeth, NJ, USA
Messages
72
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23
Points
7
Location
Detroit, MI, USA

F=MA

Active Member
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Location
Wichita, KS, USA
02 extenders should be in a small envelope-like package with the downpipes.
 

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Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Did you get the catted or catless? I ordered the catted and received them today but I’m not seeing by 02 extenders. those were suppose to come with correct?
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter that doesn’t require the defoulers.
 

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Location
Detroit, MI, USA
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter than doesn’t require the
catted downpipes. I have heard that Brett is now using a different catalytic converter than doesn’t require the defoulers.
I called Brett at fenfab and he confirmed the new catted downpipes do not need defoulers/extenders because he is in fact using a new cat. He said he just hasn’t gotten around to updating the listing.
 

F=MA

Active Member
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Location
Wichita, KS, USA
Will the rear wind deflector still fit between the Thermal R&D rear mufflers/resonators? Looks like it should.

deflector.JPG
 



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