Thermal problem/question

[Bud92gsx]

Umm why is the inlet on a thermal catback 2 inches then goes to 3 inches?
2 inches is even smaller than stock.Whats the deal with that?

 

[lil corb]

Most catbacks taper down there so it can bolt on to a stock cat.

 

[jpmxrider489]

Are you sure it's the right one? Why would they sell something that's smaller than stock? I would try calling the company. Like said above most go up to 3 but start off the same as stock. That's what mine does.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Most catbacks taper down there so it can bolt on to a stock cat.

Good info but are you sure?It does sound logical..

Are you sure it's the right one? Why would they sell something that's smaller than stock? I would try calling the company. Like said above most go up to 3 but start off the same as stock. That's what mine does.

Yes the picture on thermals website is the exact same if I put these peices together like that.You can't see it that great on thermals website.But it does look snaked down.I had to measure this damm thing today cause it looked really small.And yep where the cat bolts onto the catback it's 2 inches, and the rest is all 3.

Wierd I thought.I might have to call thermal and ask them what's up, and why it is like that.

 

[gofer]

Bud, usually logic has a lot to do with the way car parts are engineered.

1g AWD Thermal Exhaust Install

One thing about these exhausts, is the they are 3" all the way up to the point where they connect to the cat converter. There's a step down to about 2.25" to mate up to the factory cat - well since I have an aftermarket 2.5" cat, this obviously causes a restriction. I haven't had it modified yet (mainly because I'm too lazy to go down to an exhaust shop) so I have yet to see how much difference it's making in power. I'd assume it would be noticable.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Yeah I understand the logic of the stepdown.But is it really that common to just throw a catback on and be done with it?

Smart people go turboback, for the most gains.I myself would not half ass it and go just catback.Right now I'm just straight piped, but will be full turbo back.

 

[gofer]

There are three types of DSMers Bud, smart has nothing to do with it. There's the population that don't have any clue what the car is or how it performs (50%), then there are people who lightly modify their DSM and keep it street legal (40%), and then there is the rest of us who don't care about SMOG/emissions and just want to go fast (10%).

Who's Thermal going to try to sell to? I'm going to go with, once again, the logical answer here and say the majority who modify their DSM's lightly and want the convenience of the install which BOLTS ON to their stock catalytic converter.

I can't tell you how PISSED I was when I bought my first exhaust and nothing was bolting up, especially after you spend $300+ on the setup and expect a quick install.

 

[Bud92gsx]

If I could make that first sentance my signuture, it would be done.

Ok yeah, no I get it, sell to those who want your basic bolt on catback.But then why make the rest of us modify their product in order to get the most bang for out buck.

If we made these exhausts we would make it ture 3 inch.Like say punishment racing for example.Their down pipe is true 3 inches.That is quality right there.

And as a community why are we not giving crap to thermal about the 2 inch bolt on catback.Telling them they need to make a true 3 inch system.Anyone who snakes it down is really not getting the high dollar exhaust they actually want.This catback sitting in my living room, our vendors list for 549.99$.If I paid that much for for it, I would be furious.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I might cut off the crappy 2 inch part.Get a 3 inch flange, and 3inch tubing, and make it a full 3 inch..For the more serious guys..Get the new stainless pipe welded on and the new 3 inch flang welded and done..

 

[gofer]

Haha. Nice. I had to cut up my HKS hipower exhaust to make it a MAN turbo-back too, its not just the Thermal, I promise. I put up a Apex'i GT cat delete downpipe and it was not just long enough to eliminate the cat but it went about 2ft past the flange on my HKS cat back. I had to shorten the HKS exhaust and, while I was in there, I removed the "neck down" resonators they put in there and made it a true 3" catback as well.

Like I said, most aftermarket companies are going to sell to the masses and not to the DSMers that want to GO FAST!

 

[Bud92gsx]

So even if I find another exhaust no matter the name.It may have to be modified cause the companies sell to the masses, ans not the serious people..

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I know, thread is getting old. But, you are correct Bud. You will want to research the exhaust first to make sure it is a full true 3" catback. My 2G AWD Thermal necks down to 2.5" at the cat.

I have a question about modifying the Thermal. Mine is a few inches too long when bolted to my 3" cat eliminating DP. So I want to cut the entire neckdown off and weld a 3" flange on it. Is the Thermal made out of stainless or is it chrome plated? To weld a flange on it, will I need to TIG a stainless flange on or would I be able to use a MIG a mild steel flange on?

 

[95talongirl]

Yes, this is true. Thermal is designed to be a bolt on, and thus has the step down. Also had to cut that flange off and weld on a 3" one. Was able to just MIG it (although not technically "correct") since it's stainless. But it's working out alright... been almost a year.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

So it just welded on fine with MIG? Did the welds turn out ok? Did you weld a stainless flange on or a mild steel one?

 

[Bud92gsx]

Jeesh Corey..Great way to be on time old man.

I sent you the pick of the stepdown flange on the thermal I have.It's getting sold tho,I'm just holding it for a guy.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Yeah, I know I'm slow. I want to know about welding a new flange on though.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Want to know about welding.Is this your fist time having stuff welded or welding yourself?

If it's your first time, we will be gentle.

 

[95talongirl]

So it just welded on fine with MIG? Did the welds turn out ok? Did you weld a stainless flange on or a mild steel one?

Yea, the flage was stainless as well... we tested it on a test piece beforehand... and when it worked there, just went for it on the exhaust. Ideally, there's a specific gas mix for Stainless, which uses CO2 vs. Argon, and of course Stainless wire.... which is kinda pricey for a small job like this. So, the setup for mild steel worked. Of course this will open that area up to rusting, since it's a mild steel. I painted that portion with some header paint to try to keep that from happening. As long as it's not a safety item, this will stick them together okay, even if it's not the correct way to go about it.

Just mess around with the settings on a scrap piece first.

 

[Alan11]

Imo thermal was too expensive to cut the stepdown and weld a 3" flange. i was also disappointed when i saw it,... im just going to get a shop to make me a 2.5" downpipe.. that should be enough for now. thats me though..

 

[Bud92gsx]

Thermal is too expensive.I used to know where you could get a cheap one.But you turned it down,So

 

[Alan11]

Please bud. If you had one for sale for a 2g awd i would have totally bought it. :/

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Yea, the flage was stainless as well... we tested it on a test piece beforehand... and when it worked there, just went for it on the exhaust. Ideally, there's a specific gas mix for Stainless, which uses CO2 vs. Argon, and of course Stainless wire.... which is kinda pricey for a small job like this. So, the setup for mild steel worked. Of course this will open that area up to rusting, since it's a mild steel. I painted that portion with some header paint to try to keep that from happening. As long as it's not a safety item, this will stick them together okay, even if it's not the correct way to go about it.

Just mess around with the settings on a scrap piece first.

Thanks! That helps a lot. I will borrow my uncle's MIG and play around with it and give this a shot.


I want to do this not only cause that neck down is a restriction, but also because it sticks out of the back of my car way too far. So I want to cut it back some so it fits correctly. Take a look at my gallery pics, you can see how far it hangs off the back end.

 

[Bud92gsx]

If I had a thermal for a 2g awd.I would have to buy a 2g awd.

 

[Alan11]

Thanks! That helps a lot. I will borrow my uncle's MIG and play around with it and give this a shot.


I want to do this not only cause that neck down is a restriction, but also because it sticks out of the back of my car way too far. So I want to cut it back some so it fits correctly. Take a look at my gallery pics, you can see how far it hangs off the back end.

Maybe its your DP corey. Mine fits perfect. i have the stock dp with a test pipe and look.

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If I had a thermal for a 2g awd.I would have to buy a 2g awd.

bud.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Carlos the back bumper of a talon goes inward. Your gsx bumber is. More straight down. Most likely this is the cause of it looking more stuck out.