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Thermal R&D 2.5" vs. 3"

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Safety Harbor, FL, USA
#1
If this has already been addressed, feel free to provide the url links. I am debating between the 2.5" and 3" Thermal R&D cat back exhaust. Any pros and cons of going with either or? Main differences, etc.? Just looking for opinions at this point.
 

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626
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277
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82
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
2020 Ford F-150 Raptor
#2
If this has already been addressed, feel free to provide the url links. I am debating between the 2.5" and 3" Thermal R&D cat back exhaust. Any pros and cons of going with either or? Main differences, etc.? Just looking for opinions at this point.
My opinion is that the 3" is the best sounding exhaust for the ST and best sounding exhaust for a V6. The main difference is obviously the diameter of the exhaust tubing, and the larger one makes the engine breath better and makes the sound louder. No other differences.
 

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Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
#3
If this has already been addressed, feel free to provide the url links. I am debating between the 2.5" and 3" Thermal R&D cat back exhaust. Any pros and cons of going with either or? Main differences, etc.? Just looking for opinions at this point.
appearance and sound are the differences
no performance benefit 2.5" vs 3"

the 2.5" system has a slightly different center muffler design vs the 3" system
the 2.5" system has a nice deep tone yet won't drone on the highway, the 3" system is a bit louder and more aggressive

we have both systems in stock ready to ship , let me know if I can help with any further questions

3" system: https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...plorer-st-3-inch-exhaust-system-free-shipping

2.5" system: https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...xplorer-st-cat-back-exhaust-2020-freeshipping
 

OP
mcfarlrm
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Safety Harbor, FL, USA
Thread Starter #4
appearance and sound are the differences
no performance benefit 2.5" vs 3"

the 2.5" system has a slightly different center muffler design vs the 3" system
the 2.5" system has a nice deep tone yet won't drone on the highway, the 3" system is a bit louder and more aggressive

we have both systems in stock ready to ship , let me know if I can help with any further questions

3" system: https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...plorer-st-3-inch-exhaust-system-free-shipping

2.5" system: https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...xplorer-st-cat-back-exhaust-2020-freeshipping
Is there any drone with the 3"? I mostly drive alone but have the family with me on occasion. Also, forgive my lack of experience but do any of the Ford electronic systems need to be flashed/updated once installed? Have any fault codes been triggered after installation?
 

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347
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315
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67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#5
Is there any drone with the 3"? I mostly drive alone but have the family with me on occasion. Also, forgive my lack of experience but do any of the Ford electronic systems need to be flashed/updated once installed? Have any fault codes been triggered after installation?
No drone. No updates for install. No fault codes unless you're super incompetent and ruin something upstream during the install.
 

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Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
#6
Is there any drone with the 3"? I mostly drive alone but have the family with me on occasion. Also, forgive my lack of experience but do any of the Ford electronic systems need to be flashed/updated once installed? Have any fault codes been triggered after installation?
with the stock downpipes, both systems do not drone at highway speeds
but the 3" is noticeably louder when at wide open throttle
 

Messages
134
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43
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
#7
i was between the 2.5 thermal and the borla type-s. I went with the 2.5 thermal and it sounds amazing in person, idle has a really deep note with burbles and pops around 2k. Highway driving there is 0 drone... i mean 0. WOT is loud but bearable, honestly for the price 2.5 is the way to go.
 

T5ewell

New Member
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Location
Southington CT
Vehicle
2020 explorer st
#8
Has anyone done a 3” straight from the cat back? I’m deciding between I believe the 3” thermal and just doing a 3” straight. Every car I’ve had has sounded great straight piped but I’ve got no experience with an eco boost exhaust. Obviously the cost of doing a straight is much cheaper, but does anyone have any real pros and cons from experience?
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
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Utah
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Exploder
#9
It'll drone with straight pipes. I couldn't do that.
 

l1tech

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
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Location
AZ
Vehicle
21 ST
#10
I love a good exhaust but drone is not something I would ever put up with no matter how little. I have the 2.5. Absolutely 0 drone at any speed. When you get on it you do hear it but it is no where near not being bearable.
 

Messages
239
Reactions
143
Points
37
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicle
2022 ST
#11
I got my 3" Thermal From @ron@whooshmotorsports and it came SUPER quick.

I do have to say there is a slight low end drone at 79-82 MPH for me, its not terrible but its there. All I have is K&N filter for the intake so i dont have any other mods that might make a difference in the sound.I generally have the radio going so I dont hear it when cruising on the highway. only other thing i could mention is fitment of the rear tips being a biiitch to get on the rear mufflers and they seem to sit low in the cut out.

Im happy with the exhaust overall. the sound is agressive when you want it to sound that way but almost OE when just cruising along down the blvd. the Idle sound is a nice deep burble with just a hint of turbo whistle which is quite sexy to me.
 



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