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.

 

[NotWifesST]

Hey, new here but thought I'd weigh in. I recently swapped my AWE over to the Thermal 2.5 and here are my thoughts:

The AWE was a great sounding system first and foremost, very throaty and exotic. However, it is always noticeable, except off throttle or flat highway cruising. Going through the gears at normal acceleration around town you will definitely hear the system and the sound produced is a little messy if I had to describe it. Now, when giving it mid-full throttle the system roars, in a good way.

The reason I swapped: I live in Utah and drive up inclines as my daily driver and the AWE produced a lot of volume, not drone but exhaust presence. I drive my 4 year old to school everyday and she is always talking about why the car is so loud. I also use this thought process, would this be a comfortable drive if I had my in-laws in the car or parents? They would probably think the car is too loud. I never towed with this system, but I have no doubt that it would be too loud/drone. (Zero highway drone btw at cruise speed, but you will hear every little input to the gas peddle)

I spent 4 weeks debating back and forth on what to do, as the AWE sounds so good and turns heads. Mid range performance seemed to pick up, but I do believe low end torque suffered slightly with the 3" system (I know, a lot of debate on this..and Im running a ZFG 91 tune).

I finally installed Thermal's 2.5 system, and it seems to be the sweet spot. It is much quieter than the AWE, and it absolutely has ZERO drone in any gear at any speed. The sound with mild acceleration is clean and can be considered OEM+. The system wakes up at mid throttle and maintains a very sporty sound from there, which is noticeable (especially going under an overpass!).
The system is much more comfortable day to day and I know my wife, and family members would enjoy the drive much more. In addition, low end torque seems better, and with the quieter system the car seems faster (probably because the sound is less so more throttle can be had.

Hit me with any questions. I'm also selling my AWE if interested (didn't mention, but the 4.5" tips are awesome and take the cake out of all the systems out there).