Thermal R&D Exhaust System

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $530.00 from Slowboy Racing

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST

Summary:
I have heard this exhaust on most vehicles and it sounded good. On my vehicle cause its turbo it sounds AMAZING. The install was simple (had a lift) and for those that might ask, it does connect to a stock cat, get yourself a downpipe *delete the cat* and it will sound great.

Strengths:
DEEP growl, very low pitch at idle.
Good feel in horsepower increase.
Vehicle is WAY more responsive.
Isn't ricey sounding at ALL!

Weaknesses:
it starts at 2.5" then goes to 3"
a little pricey but not that bad

Similar Products Used:
only had stock before :(

Price Paid:  $530.00 from Slowboy Racing

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST

Summary:
I have heard this exhaust on most vehicles and it sounded good. On my vehicle cause its turbo it sounds AMAZING. The install was simple (had a lift) and for those that might ask, it does connect to a stock cat, get yourself a downpipe *delete the cat* and it will sound great.

Strengths:
DEEP growl, very low pitch at idle.
Good feel in horsepower increase.
Vehicle is WAY more responsive.
Isn't ricey sounding at ALL!

Weaknesses:
it starts at 2.5" then goes to 3"
a little pricey but not that bad

Similar Products Used:
only had stock before :(

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $527.00 from Nippon Power

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 Volkswagen Jetta

Summary:
The hardest part of this install was gettting the old bolts and exhaust off, after that install was simple. The car sounds great, its not loud but its a deep growl. I'd definetly recommend this exhaust to anyone looking for a great product.

Strengths:
Sounds Great Definate HP Gains

Weaknesses:
Exhaust tips dont are a little offset

Similar Products Used:
Stock

Price Paid:  $495.00 from Protege5 Online

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Thermal R&D Catback Exhaust

Summary:
I put a Thermal R&D catback system on my 2003 Protege 5. The fit was very poor and the pipe barely clears the rear strut. It has already ripped the OEM hanger welded to the frame off twice. A comparison with the OEM exhaust revealed the pipe welded to the front of the Thermal R&D muffler was rotated 3-5 degrees counter-clock wise out of alignment. Thus, everytime I get into the throttle, the muffler hits the strut and binds. I haven't broken the hanger weld a third time, but I'm compelled to drive my car like an old lady (bummer) in order to avoid breaking it again. Dimensionally, the system was acceptable. Thermal R&D just welded it together carelessly - Poor QC. I am VERY disappointed in the purchase and could not recommend their product to anyone. The one redeeming feature - the exhaust note is good. However, I would expect to have a near perfect system and fit after spending $495 plus shipping. If I had it to do over, I would buy the Racing Beat system.

Strengths:
Was nicely polished, the laser etching on the exhaust tip was very good.

Weaknesses:
Poor QC. It was apparent the bends and dimensions were correct when compared with the OEM system. As I stated above, the inlet to the muffler was 3-5 degrees out of alignment in a counter-clockwise (as viewed from rear) direction. This caused the muffler inlet to clear the strut by no more than 1/2 inch. Thus, the system binds against the strut under full throttle or when making a hard right turn.

Similar Products Used:
Borla Catback Exhaust installed on a 95 Transam and a Borla Catback Exhaust install on a 2000 Transam

Price Paid:  $200.00 from friend

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 Honda Civic DX

Summary:
Great Exhaust, the tip wasnt too big like Greddy or A'pexi are, but i wanted it small so cops wouldnt pull me over

Strengths:
sound is really deep, sounded better on my car then a 2000 Si civic

Weaknesses:
Only bad thing about this exhaust is that i just got pulled over by the Wisconsin State Patrol, and i had to take it off. Why do the poes gotta pick on young punks, shouldnt they be pullin people over for other things besides my stupid car. Im thinking about putting it back on in a couple months. Oh well its only a $163 dollar ticket if i get caught again.