I have a 98 type r with the AEM CAI and just added the thermal axel back...I havent driven my car in about a week but it feels as though my 5th gear isnt as stong anymore? Is that possible or am I just not use to driving my car? Anyone with a thermal axel back please let me know how your car performed after adding it. Thanks!

 

well first off just adding an exhaust shouldn't do much in the gains department. you'll really need a header with 2.5" collector, a new 2.5" cat, and then straight-through piping on the exhaust to get the most out of it.

second, 5th gear isn't supposed to offer "power" ... if you have to pass someone then drop to fourth.

...anyone else care to add?

 

I've never used a Thermal axle back just the full cat back sys. and straight flow sys. If you got stealth sys it reduces flow in the muffler to reduce sound the classic sys doesn't and gives the most power gain but you shouldn't have lost power. It just maybe the sound change make it seem like it's different. You should gained couple whp around 3-4 normally with catback exhaust sys..though an axle back for me only changes weight of car slightly, sound, and probably gives 1-2 whp as your still using OEM B pipe.

 

I have a thermal cat back stealth system, and i really didnt notice too big of a gain, but there was a SLIGHT increase in power on the butt dyno. it doesnt have as many of the stock ITR b pipe bottle necks but is the same pipe size, so in theory it should increase flow just from that. And waste half of a fraction of a second and downshift if u feel 5th isnt powerful enough for ya!

 

"5th gear isn't supposed to offer "power" ... if you have to pass someone then drop to fourth." Maybe on a GSR but look at the gear ratio of a R and tell me no power persay...