Thermal R&D, exactly how loud?

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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 06:50 PM
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Default Thermal R&D, exactly how loud?

How loud is this exhaust system? I even hear the stealth version is loud. Anyways, I was planning on buying this 3" Turbo with a Carsound cat. But I've heard countless people saying their Thermal exhaust just bugs the heck out of them.

I honestly just think it's so incredibly ignorant when your car is just buzzing the heck up and down the road. I had a Greddy Evo, that wasn't so bad at all. ..and I did like it going off a bit when I did infact hit WOT.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Are there any other 3" exhausts that are quite? Would a substantial amount of power be lost (along with boost spiking problems) if I used a different setup? I just dont want to spend $600 on something that I'll crack over my knee in a week.

Suggestions appreciated.
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 06:54 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (pub)

i'd definately like to know too...if anyone has any info for like a 98 civic ex too.

i hate loud exhausts sooo much...i'd rather have something that allowed the sound of spooling come through
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 06:55 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (leadtrum)

I'll let you guys know how they sound on Thursday
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 07:37 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (pub)

The exhaust doesn't make any sort of "buzz" sound whatsoever. It is a deep, rumbling sound. And honestly, it is not that loud from outside of the car. I love mine and would never get rid of it. From inside the car you might need to turn your music up a couple more notches from normal to hear it properly, but it is just so deep, I love it

Dustin
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 07:48 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (Teg4e)

here's the thing with the thermal 3" exhaust. during normal street driving, the exhaust has a DEEP, BASSY tone to it. it's not raspy and when you get on it, the tone is drowned out to a non-annoying level. the noise can certainly get to you at low rpm's (it drove me insane) but it's not bad at all during WOT.

i just had an 18" resonator welded to my thermal today and the deep tone during low rpm's is unfortuanately still there but when i get on it, i can actually hear the turbo spool whereas before, all i heard was the transition from thermal to open wastegate - now it's thermal to turbo spool to open wastegate.

the resonator quieted the thermal to where i can barely hear the exhaust during highway driving. i have a whack exhaust setup with a 2.5" dp, 3" carsound cat, and a 2.5" resonator welded into the middle of the thermal 3" exhaust.
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 08:18 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (pub)

u can look into a 3" magnaflow........... gsr grrl <wrong spelling) has one.
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (pub)

Mine is 3" mandrel all from the turbo back with just a 3" cat in between. Its insanely loud all the time, in and out of the car.

And also, it is louder than when I had the Tanabe RM without a silencer or turbo.


[Modified by superfastCRX, 12:25 AM 7/10/2002]
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 08:47 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (superfastCRX)

i agree with dustin. it has a deep bassy tone, not ricey at all. plus, for the price, it a beautiful piece of stainless stell work, too.
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Old Jul 10, 2002 | 08:21 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (downpipe)

I just installed mine Sunday, with a carsound 3" cat, and this weekend the 3" downpipe goes on. I'll let you know this weekend how lound it is.

I hope this will be the last bit of downtime I have. My car has been out of commission for 10 months for the past 18 months.
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Old Jul 10, 2002 | 09:15 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (BoostedEX)

TURBO CAR= deep , awesome sounding
N/A sounds like a swarm of angry bee's! buzzing like no tomorrow. I have some vids of it(N/A) if someone wants to host them for me
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 06:18 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (pub)

I want to know too... should I just get this thing even though for right now I going to be driving around with a 2.5 inch dp?

well its either getting this
getting in on that 3 inch piping group buy and having some muffler welded on at a shop
or driving around on the stock integra exhuast.

what do you guys say?
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 06:56 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (integra-modder)

get the thermal

you can kick me if you don't like it!
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 06:57 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (dustin)

Thermal is the way to go for turbo guys.. Its unbeatable..

stainless construction not to to ricey sounding nice deep sound...
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 06:59 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (integra-modder)

Just a question for you all.. Anyone on here have an integra w/ a 3" thermal and an upgraded rear sway bar? I have a comptech rear sway bar kit, and the exhaust looks to be resting on the sway bar. I'm sure the clearance would be fine w/ the stock sway bar but I really don't want to switch back. Anyone have a solution? If not I'll have to play with it tomorrow..

-Mike
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 07:14 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (SlowTeg)

I just ordered my dynomax resonator for it...my thermal was used and it was cut short because the previous owner had a resonator on it but kept it so I dont know how it will sound w/o the resonator but lets just hope it a nice low sound but not too loud w/ the resonator.
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 08:01 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (Etylorcen)

Do resonator's sap any power from an exhaust? I like the deep rumble of my Thermal 3", but it's a bit loud for my tastes...
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 09:16 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (Teg4e)

anyone know the part # for a 3" thermal R&D catback turbo exhaust for a 92 vx?


[Modified by blufke, 6:16 AM 7/24/2002]
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 10:11 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (blufke)

i'm just curious...how much of a HP difference is it from having a 2.5" setup to a 3" setup? is it really noticeable? if so, then i really need to switch!!
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 10:15 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (shermanyang)

ive heard is a big diff... something along the lines of 20 hp possible if you free up the whole air way...
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 10:28 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (SlowTeg)

Just a question for you all.. Anyone on here have an integra w/ a 3" thermal and an upgraded rear sway bar? I have a comptech rear sway bar kit, and the exhaust looks to be resting on the sway bar. I'm sure the clearance would be fine w/ the stock sway bar but I really don't want to switch back. Anyone have a solution? If not I'll have to play with it tomorrow..

-Mike
I have a skunkworks swaybar... it's close but I positioned it on the hangers so it does not hit...(I bent some of the hangers on the muffler...)
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Old Jul 23, 2002 | 10:28 PM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (integra-modder)

DAMN!! 20 HP difference!! i really need to change...but then again...noise is another concern...i'm already going deaf.
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Old Jul 24, 2002 | 07:52 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (dustin)

I have a skunkworks swaybar... it's close but I positioned it on the hangers so it does not hit...(I bent some of the hangers on the muffler...)
I want to get the ITR sway bar...
How did you bend those brakets...arent they thick as ****?
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Old Jul 24, 2002 | 07:56 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (integra-modder)

rubber mallet
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Old Jul 24, 2002 | 08:03 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (dustin)


you can kick me if you don't like it!
I dont like mine, can I kick you this weekend.
jk, I love my thermal.

art
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Old Jul 24, 2002 | 08:14 AM
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Default Re: Thermal R&D, exactly how loud? (Arturbo)

i have few of these unints in stock for most cars..
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