I just got finished installing my 3" Cat. Conv. and 3" Thermal Exhaust on my Drag Turbo'd GSR. This set up is very loud in comparison to my RSR and stock cat. Has anyone sent in there Thermal Exhaust to have the alteration done to reduce the noise? I would like to know how big of a difference the mod made?

 

I sent the muffler section back to thermal, they modified by replacing the tip, welding in some material, then returned it to me for about $40. It was quieter. Still loud, but not killer loud, maybe 20% quieter. I wouldn't run it otherwise.

 

I put the thermal on my Turbo Gsr also and at first I didnt like it. I had a Apex N1 and that was sooooo quiet, but not as quiet as the RSR. I didnt send it back to thermal because I didnt like what they were going to do it. Even tho it was free I didnt want to. But ever since I've been driving it around it has gotten more quiet, but at first it was annoying loud!!!

art

 

Thanks for the replys

Lundgren - So the modification at least made a noticable difference? To me 20% quieter is a big difference and would make it more livable. Do you have any pics of the new tip and the added welded material?

I do think I'm getting used to it a little, but I know on long trips I'm going to need to bring some aspirin to take care of the headache. Its so loud that now the noise made by my wastegate opening up is less noticeable.

I think I will give it a couple days, then if its still bothering me I'll send it to Thermal for the mod. I don't mind loosing a couple hp for a little noise reduction.

 

LEON,

It was noticable yes. At WOT it's still very loud, but you can modulate it, so it's not booming at cruizing speed, and can be tolorable. I can take a pic, but it looks much the same, but on the inside, the weld material to reflect some of the noise back in.

Call Thermal, send it back, it's worth it.

 

I was wondering, what RSR exhaust did you have? Is it the black "quiet" old-school RSR? I have been looking for one of those for a long while. Is it for sale? Oh yeah post pics of the new exhaust too.

 

anyone have a sound clip of this setup? i'm about to go that route; i can put up w/ some loudness, but not super loud

 

Thanks Lundgren!

Damn, I took the car out for a spin a couple times today - I feel like I'm at the track watching the 9 sec cars This is a loud exhaust. I feel embarrassed driving the car, I get the feeling like everyone is looking at me. I have now become "one of those" cars that I shake me head at. I'm sorry for all the negative attitude. On the positive side, with the 3" cat. conv. and the Thermal there is NO backpressure, the throttle has more feeling to it. I no longer feel as though my exhaust system is choking my turbo - so that's good and that's what I wanted just maybe a little quieter. I think I will take Lundgren's advice and send it in for the mod. Hey you can't get everything you want.

93LSivic - Yes, my RSR is the old style black with the 70 degree slanted tip. It sounds fantastic and is very stealth looking (in comparison to other after market exhausts). I have had the RSR exhaust on for a little over a year ~14,000 miles. I did have the exhaust sold about a month ago (at the time I thought that I was having the new exhaust and cat. conv. installed, but do to unforeseen circumstances the install kept getting pushed off. I feel really bad for the guy too. I am e-mailing him tonight to see if he still wants it. If he says no then I will be putting it up for sale. The guy offered me $300 + shipping. If you want it, please e-mail me at cla8@msn.com and I can let you know if I do indeed sell the exhaust to this gentleman.

Soundfiles? Nope - hey why dont you call me on my cell phone while I drive around with it - I'm sure you will be able to hear it through the phone.

Thanks for the replys!

 

LEON,
I felt exactly the way you did. I thought I was never going to get used to it. The first day I had it I took a small road trip south and my head was hurting sooooo bad. But after about a 3 weeks of driving it has quiet down some. Either it more quiet or I just got used to it.

art

 

I really doubt it just quieted down. I notice people with those 3" N1 staight pipe exhaust think their car gets really quiet with a silencer eventhough it really isnt. IMO i'd rather be listening to music than my engine.

Personally, im still not sure if I want a 3" thermal or 3" custom exhaust, i'll be running a 3" test pipe. I already have 3" piping and 3" muffler, plus I can add a 3" resonator to the exhaust.

 

you could always slice off the thermal muffler and get yourself a greddy or rsr muffler.

 

dam, i dont know if my gf will put up w/ the noise. I mean, i'm sure i can get use to it but i dont know about her. i'd better think this over some more


[Modified by vudoo666, 11:28 PM 8/18/2001]

 

ok tell me this, does it sound as bad as tanable racing medalion?

 

- actually my FG likes the sound of the exhaust. She thinks it sounds mean and throaty She says she can feel the difference in the car, she says the nicest things

- I don't think I've ever heard a Tanabe Racing Medallion so I dont' think I can help you with a comparison. I do know that the exhaust is not the loudest exhaust that I have every heard. There are plenty of exhausts that I hear every day that sound just as loud and I'm sure that they are not all Thermals. I think I was just used to the very abnormally quiet sound of the RSR exhaust.