Thermal R&D exhaust review.
 

First I want to apologize to everyone for the late review. I was going to wait to get a quality sound clip but I'll go ahead and just the post the review today and get out a sound clip within the next week.

Thermal has been known for making quality exhaust systems for different Honda platforms, Dodge neons, Audi among others... It's a smaller company based out of California and all systems are made on site. I was searching for a couple months for a quality exhaust without the $1000 price range when I came along their 86/BRZ system.

Reveiw:

So first I want to say you can find this exhaust available for under $550 depending on where you buy it from. This system is made out US bought T304 polished stainless steel. It is 2.5 inch diameter piping with 4.5 inch angle cut exhaust tips. It has a hemoltz chamber attached for no drone (which it has none at highway speeds). The exhaust is just all around clean and great looking exhaust (again I spent months researching systems). It is completely TIG welded and the welds are very clean IMHO. I will mention that the tips are super sexy and clean looking and really helped sell me on the system.

Fitmentperfect. the install myself at home with a friend's help. Threw the car up on 4 Jack stands and went at it. Install was super straight forward with no hiccups. Total time was about an hour with removal of stock system. So the fitment on this exhaust is absolutely perfect and the midpipe to muffler connection is a slip connection with a v band clamp for adjustability (similar to invidia). It uses the OEM donut gasket for the front pipe to mid pipe flange connection. No leaks whatsoever on the system and again, perfect fitment (tips centered, no rubbing)

Sound- I will say that I have listened to ALOT of BRZ/FRS exhaust clips and his exhaust is one the best that I have heard. It has a very deep note in low rpms and even has a bit of boxer rumble (with stock headers). It is somewhat on the loud side on a cold start but calms right down upon warming. I would place the sound decibel somewhere between the q300 and N1 and provides a nice balance. It definitely sounds like you have an exhaust system installed but is very tasteful and does not have a "ricey" sound whatsoever. It has very great sound at high rpm's, escpically on canyon runs it really sounds good. (All in my opinion). AGAIN I WILL HAVE SOUND CLIPS UP ASAP.

Pictues

interested to hear clips with UEL header

Wont have uel headers on for a few months but will post a clip when I do

waiting on clips:thanks:

Thermal also makes muffler/exhaust for a lot of other companies. They make good products. I would like to hear a sound clip with the stock header if you get a chance.

Wish they would've used a standard 2 bolt flange & gasket setup instead of that cheap band clamp to connect to the pipes.

I wouldn't call it "cheap" a lot of companies use it.
I just helped a friend put on a $1000 dollar exhaust on his gti that used clamps.
Point being I think they work great, makes putting it on pretty easy too

Yes they do indeed. Other companies hire them for exhaust manufacturing and then out their own label on it.
I will have a sound clip up by the end of the week.

This, vband clamps are used in the aircraft industry as well and alot of the best exhaust manufacturers (perrin being one of them) for this car use it and also turbo kits as well. The advantage is that force is applied radially to seal both pipes, if used correctly with smooth ends on both pieces of tubing they seal much much much better than a traditional gasket and flange. Also it's way easier to remove, reuse and install exhaust parts using them it's literally one bolt instead of two, and you don't have to worry about replacing a gasket.

In for sound clips with and without the uel when you get it. Also where was yours purchased? and Online retailer web address would be nice

Thank you for the history on vband clamps.

In the OP's photos, it looks to be a standard slip joint with a transitional cheap band clamp, which is what I take offense to.

The midpipe to muffler connection is a vband, I'm talking about the first one.

http://thermalrd.com/uploads/B209_C209.jpg

Interested
 

Have you gotten around to getting sound clips? I'm interested in getting this exhaust but there are literally 0 sound clips of it. Thanks!

This thread is over a year old.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Very observant.

Thread necromancer: I found one of these brand new for $600 shipped. Pulled the trigger for my 2022. Can post pictures or vids if they're still requested.

The Helmholtz sits very close to the driveshaft - much closer than I expected. I dont think it'll be a problem; its not like the pipe will be bouncing up/down to make contact.

Never had an issue with mine. That's a steal. Compact, very slightly lighter than stock, and no drone for me with Ace350...