opinions on thermal r&d 3" catback? need help...

[91tsi2wd]

hey guys I'm about to buy a Thermal R&D catback (for a very good price I might add) and was wondering your input on the system

3" catback for a fwd tsi (1g)

called thermal r&d today and they said it was tested and had gains of 18 hp to the wheels... can this be trusted?

will I notice a huge difference over my stock exhaust and apexi muffler? obviously sound isn't raspy, deep and quiet, but I'm talking seat of your pants difference...

anyone? help please!

 

[dave99gst]

Seat of your pants diff in power ? not likley.
as far as form/function/sound/quality.
I really liked the Thermal exhaust i had on my 2g AWD.

 

[PedroMartinez]

Are you getting it where I think your getting it. cause we might be trying to be buying the same exhaust for the good price?? Pm me if u want.

 

[Cs4g63]

I had one on my 2g. There wasnt a holly crap this is fast feeling but it just felt better.

 

[DSMunknown]

The only thing I don't like about Thermal's exhaust products are the neck-downs to accommodate the OEM catalytic converter. Of course, a trusted shop can easily fix that problem.







EDIT: Weeeee! Picture time!
Thermal Part Number B304-C304

 

[FORMONTOYA]

I have one on my 2G. As stated....great quality as far as form, fit and function. Sounds good too. However, company "claims" are something that can be taken with a "grain of salt", they're just too subjective. They may have seen a 18HP gain on their test engine on an engine dyno (at the crank), but what mods were on that engine and how was it built. Plus what gains were at the wheels?

If it's a good deal, get it, you won't be disappointed.

The only thing I don't like about Thermal's exhaust products are the neck-downs to accommodate the OEM catalytic converter. Of course, a trusted shop can easily fix that problem.

My DP/cat setup (from HAHN) was 6" longer than stock to account for having to cut the neck down on a cat back setup.

 

[90CherryBomb]

I love the 1g awd thermal catback. Nice looking muffler and great sound.

 

[c4uldr0n]

I have a Thermal R&D 3", it sounds bad ass, hard to tell about the power because I did a ton of upgrades at the same time. If you really want, I could make a sound clip. PM me or IM me.

 

[DSMunknown]

My DP/cat setup (from HAHN) was 6" longer than stock to account for having to cut the neck down on a cat back setup.

I don't quite follow...


I was just thinking of replacing the neck-down section with larger, same-size piping as the rest of the exhaust system.

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

Yea dude, if it is in your price range then I would go ahead and get it. They make good products. I've seen them on some 2G's and EVO's before and sounded/looked great. And plut you'll like driving your car more with a nice rumble from your car. Good Luck!!

As for hp gains...umm nothing out of the ordinary...I've hear that it is impossible for the human body to detect horsepower gains below 7 wheel horsepower. but I'm not sure if that is all 100% correct.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

I don't quite follow...


I was just thinking of replacing the neck-down section with larger, same-size piping as the rest of the exhaust system.

The "neck down" portion on the TRD CB is about 4-6" from the flange. The HAHN DP and 3" high flow cat assembly is actually 6" longer than the stock assembly. I just took it down and had ~6" (the neck down portion) and have a 3" flange welded on. There was not replacement pipe needed in my case.

 

[paintball4fun21]

I just got this exhaust and its amazing.............easily fit on.........I cut off the part on the end that necks down and replaced it to 3in......I also put a magnaflow high flow 3in cat on.......this pretty much eliminated boost creep for me............I noticed a difference in power but nothing amazing........sounds awesome too

 

[DSMunknown]

The "neck down" portion on the TRD CB is about 4-6" from the flange. The HAHN DP and 3" high flow cat assembly is actually 6" longer than the stock assembly. I just took it down and had ~6" (the neck down portion) and have a 3" flange welded on. There was not replacement pipe needed in my case.

Sounds like a design flaw with Hahn's products.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Sounds like a design flaw with Hahn's products.

It's not a design flaw. It's done on purpose so there's enough length to the DP/cat assembly to allow for cutting off the neck down portion of a majority of cat backs which is generally 6".

 

[DSMunknown]

It's not a design flaw. It's done on purpose so there's enough length to the DP/cat assembly to allow for cutting off the neck down portion of a majority of cat backs which is generally 6".

Is one particular piece (that is, either the DP or the cat) solely responsible for the 6" extension? In other words, is the DP 6 inches longer than most other DPs (with the cat being at a normal length)? Or is the cat 6 inches longer than most other cats (with the DP being at a normal length)? Or perhaps both the DP and the cat are longer than normal, but are only extended 3 inches each. Did you notice which one of these possibilities holds true to your HRC/TRD setup?

 

[FORMONTOYA]

While I was in the "talking" stage of the purchase I was told that if I went with the HRC DP and high flow cat assembly it would be 6" longer to allow for cutting off the neck down section of most cat-backs (it came with the DP, cat and a 3" flange). I didn't actually set the pieces side-by-side, but the piping on the cat was considerably longer so I "assume" it was made longer in the cat, but I can't say for sure.

 

[deletrius]

I also have the Thermal R&D Catback on my GST and I have to say I love it. With stock DP and CAT it has a really deep pur to it, very smooth and sexy. Replacing the stock DP and Cat with a Megan caused it to become more "racy" so to speak, not as deep but louder. I highly recommend it.