Which exhaust (need recommendations)

[Dpratt202]

I was doing some research, but I'm still not fully determined on an exhaust.

For a 2025 ST, would I be better off with the following;

- AWE Explorer ST Touring Edition 3" Cat-Back Exhaust - Quad Diamond Black Tips (2020-2025)
or
- Ford Explorer ST 3.0L, Black Elite Dual Axle-Back Performance Exhaust

I dont want anything too loud or that drones. I would be driving my car daily with this, so it would have to be not crazy at cruising speeds. Down the road I would be looking to add an intake aswell.
Thanks for any input.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

No clue on those, but the Thermal 2.5" sounds great under acceleration, and is pleasant and subdued at cruising speeds. Just what I wanted. Its basically straight 2.5" pipes with no drone.

 

[Dpratt202]

No clue on those, but the Thermal 2.5" sounds great under acceleration, and is pleasant and subdued at cruising speeds. Just what I wanted. It’s basically straight 2.5" pipes with no drone.

Yea the thermal isn’t too bad, how would you say it is if you daily it?

 

[THNX SVT]

Yea the thermal isn’t too bad, how would you say it is if you daily it?

My wife had the 2.5” Thermal and thought it was too quiet. I changed that out for the 3” Thermal when that became available, and it still wasn’t loud enough for her. Added the CVFab downpipes and she’s happy now. With the 10 speed auto these ST’s are really not all that loud unless you’re actively feeding them the beans.

 

[Gadgtfreek]

I’d agree — depending on how much noise you want, it may be a little on the quiet side.


Cold start: Perfect for me. It fires up with a nice bark, then settles into a clean idle. After two Mustangs with full 3" exhausts, my neighbors probably like me better now (maybe).


Easy acceleration from a light: Barely noticeable, especially with music on.


Sport mode / moderate acceleration: Exactly what I was looking for — Refined, and sporty without being obnoxious.


Highway cruising (around 85): No drone at all.


Overall, I love that I can control the volume with the skinny pedal — quiet when I want it, aggressive when I don’t. Rolled the windows down and goosed it under an overpass the other day — sounded fantastic, and plenty loud when you want it to be. I've also listened to the ring cam when I pull out and drive off in the morning, it's actually a little louder than you would think, the explorer is just insulated well. Wife says now she hears the cold start and me drive off, where obviously she never did before. I got what I wanted, a decently priced exhaust that likely dropped a little weight, freed up some flow, and sounds good.