3" Thermal vs. AWE?

[Mighty]

Nobody cares except for you and the Unknown Soldier

Definitely the best video I’ve seen on these two. Ultimately/ and of course arguably the the best sounding set ups for this platform. I feel both need to add vibrant ultra quiet resonators so sound matches the speed a bit more as they are both LOUD. After the resonators I would still pic thermal I have 4.5 tips going to powder coat soon and I’m happy now. To each their own. Thanks for that video.

 

[Suprawill1]

Definitely the best video I’ve seen on these two. Ultimately/ and of course arguably the the best sounding set ups for this platform. I feel both need to add vibrant ultra quiet resonators so sound matches the speed a bit more as they are both LOUD. After the resonators I would still pic thermal I have 4.5 tips going to powder coat soon and I’m happy now. To each their own. Thanks for that video.

"To each his own" is correct in this assessment. I personally think there are pros and cons in both setups.

The AWE produces a lower frequency while the Thermal delivers a high mid rasp. That is of course, with the CVF DPs as that's what the comparison was made through.
I like the AWE sound outside the vehicle as its lower frequency approaches more toward a deeper throaty V8 sound. The higher freq of the Thermal definitely points more toward a natural V6 tone, but of course, louder.
It cuts through more but that doesn't ingratiate its cause at startup wherein lies the natural exhaust rattle before idle down. The feature I do appreciate in the Thermal is that it is closer to stock volume in the cab.
I'm a musician so I'm always involved with music purity when driving, hence the need for internal quiet.
With that said, it feels like most ST owners that upgrade their exhaust are looking for a more aggressive sound. That's mostly where personal preference will come into play.
When the ST is started, it sounds like the whole stock exhaust is leaky and no thanks to the flex pipes. I already replaced the mid pipes with the Lethal Performance brand. The rest lies in the type of joints that are used in the stock system which leak until they expand.
This would be the only reason I would need to upgrade. I don't need louder, just a tighter piping system. Stock exhaust performance is robust enough as it reportedly holds 700HP.

Thanks to Peter for his time and effort in making this comparison video!

 

[Combatvet]

Man, I wish I would have watched that video before I bought the Thermal R&D, because the AWE is waaaay better sounding!

 

[561]

Man, I wish I would have watched that video before I bought the Thermal R&D, because the AWE is waaaay better sounding!

AWE Deeper but “fart type” sounding

 

[GearHead_1]

AWE Deeper but “fart type” sounding

Old school cherry bomb/glass pack pop. Didn't like it then, don't like it now.

 

[561]

Old school cherry bomb/glass pack pop. Didn't like it then, don't like it now.

I remember those and yes if my memory serves me - they were “CHEAP”

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Turbos are a lot more audible with the Thermal exhaust.


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[BrooseDaMoose]

Thermal R&D has outstanding customer service! Someone stole the tips off of my vehicle the other day and I emailed them about it. After sending a couple photo’s of the tips missing, they are sending me new ones! No way that’s covered under warranty but they are sending them anyway! Five star company on my opinion!


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[vincentroy]

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.

I'm in San Mateo nearly weekly and live in San Jose myself. I'd love to listen to it. I just picked up a 22 Explorer ST and stuck between AWE and Thermal. I'm leaning towards AWE from the YouTube clips I've heard.

 

[vincentroy]

definitely please let me know if you go thermal R&D OR AWE or whatever you go with. My office is Chaparral Signs in Morgan Hill. I have to hear this in person.

What did you end up getting? Know of any local Ford meets in the Bay Area? I'm in San Jose and go to Morgan Hill from time to time to visit friends/family.

 

[Mighty]

What did you end up getting? Know of any local Ford meets in the Bay Area? I'm in San Jose and go to Morgan Hill from time to time to visit friends/family.

I GOT 3" THERMAL R&D AND ADDED VIBRANT ULTRA QUIET RESONATORS. WITHOUT THE RESONATORS IT SOUNDED SO LAME AT 2000RPM-3000RPM WHEN JUST DRIVING FROM A LIGHT. WAY TOO LOUD EVERY PRIUS I PASSED THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO FLEX ON EM. LOL. THAT EASY PULL RPM IS JUST TOO LOUD. NOW IT SOUNDS NICE ALL THE WAY UP TO WIDE OPEN.

 

[vincentroy]

I GOT 3" THERMAL R&D AND ADDED VIBRANT ULTRA QUIET RESONATORS. WITHOUT THE RESONATORS IT SOUNDED SO LAME AT 2000RPM-3000RPM WHEN JUST DRIVING FROM A LIGHT. WAY TOO LOUD EVERY PRIUS I PASSED THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO FLEX ON EM. LOL. THAT EASY PULL RPM IS JUST TOO LOUD. NOW IT SOUNDS NICE ALL THE WAY UP TO WIDE OPEN.

Nice, haha. Do you visit San Jose area at all? I'm heading to Morgan Hill in a couple of weeks for wine tasting. I'd love to meet up at a local Starbucks to hear your ST in person.

 

[Mighty]

Nice, haha. Do you visit San Jose area at all? I'm heading to Morgan Hill in a couple of weeks for wine tasting. I'd love to meet up at a local Starbucks to hear your ST in person.

The ST is at my shop Monday thru to usually Saturday 8-4 Chaparral Signs 195 San Pedro BLDG C-9 Hit me up.

 

[SHOinVa]

I GOT 3" THERMAL R&D AND ADDED VIBRANT ULTRA QUIET RESONATORS. WITHOUT THE RESONATORS IT SOUNDED SO LAME AT 2000RPM-3000RPM WHEN JUST DRIVING FROM A LIGHT. WAY TOO LOUD EVERY PRIUS I PASSED THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO FLEX ON EM. LOL. THAT EASY PULL RPM IS JUST TOO LOUD. NOW IT SOUNDS NICE ALL THE WAY UP TO WIDE OPEN.

Greeting Folks,
- I guess I'm a little late to the party but I'm here now and had a couple of follow up questions in case anyone is still around. Allow me to set the table a bit, I've had my club card for driving loud vehicles since I was in high school so I've been there and done that, in fact I still do that but with my truck and Mustang, I want something a little different from my 25 ST. As we all know the stock exhaust is basically Cadillac quiet, and all I really want is to be able to tell it's actually running and get a little something when I drive hard. After an extensive internet search I have come to the same conclusion as this thread, these two kits seem to have the best sound, least amount of that annoying V6 rasp, and are the least loud. From that very informative video, the numbers say the Thermal is the quieter one, but for some reason it is not as pleasant and actually sounds louder to me. So if anyone is there maybe you can help me out.

- What is this Vibrant Resonator you speak of, it is not listed as an Explorer part so does it fit without being modified, is it a quality part, did it make your truck quieter or just less raspy. In the final configuration how does it compare to stock heading down the highway on cruise control.
- Has anyone installed either one of these kits and then later on installed downpipes. I'm not even going to think about downpipes until the warranty but if I do get around to it I don't want to have to replace the exhaust system because suddenly it's too loud.
- Did anyone seriously consider any of the other kits or know anyone who really likes something besides the ones we are talking about here.
- Has anyone compared the 2.5 inch kit to the 3.0 kit to see how much loader the 3.0 inch was, and did anyone like the way the 2.5 sounded better.
- Has anyone had or heard of warranty issues do to installing a cat back system.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me, hope everyone is having a great day.
C/

 

[Berky]

I’ve got an extended warranty on my 22ST and can’t get a straight answer on how installing a catback system will affect my warranty covered parts. They say I have to submit a claim to know for sure. I’ve been waiting for some exhaust component to fail before I upgrade. I’m not sure how a factory warranty would be affected. My dealer says not to tinker with anything, but that’s no fun and the stock exhaust is silly.

 

[SHOinVa]

I’ve got an extended warranty on my 22ST and can’t get a straight answer on how installing a catback system will affect my warranty covered parts. They say I have to submit a claim to know for sure. I’ve been waiting for some exhaust component to fail before I upgrade. I’m not sure how a factory warranty would be affected. My dealer says not to tinker with anything, but that’s no fun and the stock exhaust is silly.

The margins are so small on warranty work that most dealerships will do anything to get out of paying a claim but I agree the stock system is truly the most "stupid", system I've ever ever heard of being but on a vehicle. You take a high performance truck and you make it so quiet you can't even hear it start and then you pump in fake noise into the cabin that you can't turn off. I thought the little plastic noise maker my SHO's motor had on it was stupid but this is a whole other level.
C/

 

[Berky]

The margins are so small on warranty work that most dealerships will do anything to get out of paying a claim but I agree the stock system is truly the most "stupid", system I've ever ever heard of being but on a vehicle. You take a high performance truck and you make it so quiet you can't even hear it start and then you pump in fake noise into the cabin that you can't turn off. I thought the little plastic noise maker my SHO's motor had on it was stupid but this is a whole other level.
C/

Agree 100%.

 

[Suprawill1]

I’ve got an extended warranty on my 22ST and can’t get a straight answer on how installing a catback system will affect my warranty covered parts. They say I have to submit a claim to know for sure.

Sounds like a warranty decline waiting to happen. Probably have to contact the underwriters to confirm. The service dept doesn't know squat and is the reason they can't answer your question.
If it's a Ford ext warranty, it will depend on what stealership you take it to. I went to one and told the guy all the mods I had, including upgraded turbos and he looked at me and said "I didn't hear anything".
He was actually excited about it.

Submit your claim and then retract it once you get your answer unless you plan to use it at the time. It's easy to create an exhaust mechanical failure if needed.

 

[Wohop]

I’ve got an extended warranty on my 22ST and can’t get a straight answer on how installing a catback system will affect my warranty covered parts. They say I have to submit a claim to know for sure. I’ve been waiting for some exhaust component to fail before I upgrade. I’m not sure how a factory warranty would be affected. My dealer says not to tinker with anything, but that’s no fun and the stock exhaust is silly.

There should be no issue at all w a cat back and warranty work as it changes nothing with power or emissions. If the dealer seems shady about it i would try another one bc they’re probably hard to deal with in general. And if you have space to store the stock exhaust it’s literally a 1 hour job to swap it back before you bring it in for warranty work if you wanna be extra careful