Thermal R&D Stainless Muffler

Price Paid:  $480.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 would apply to years 88 - 01' 1.5 - 2.3 liter Hondas

Summary:
Great exhaust system. I would give the craftsmanship an 7.5 out of 10 (it's not the greatest but the welds hold up). The system is a bit on the hefty side since they've used thick material (thats good in terms of strength). The muffler design is not good. I've had 2 thermals so far, and the sound is the same before & after break-in. What do I mean by "break-in"? You will always get carbon deposits inside any muffler over time. It happens much faster, running with no catalytic converter. Some mufflers will still sound good after this happens, the thermal muffler is not one of them. You can start up the car when its newly installed, it will sound nice, quiet, and deep, but over time you'll get more of the raspiness. Inside the thermal muffler is Steel Wool with little or no composites to suppress high frequency noise. Thermal's exhaust tip is tapered from the inside out. The tapered part is what gives the exhaust character looking at it from behind, but it's also the part that gets dirty the easiest. A downside for those who want a low maintenance clean looking exhaust. While this exhaust system produces lots of power (sometimes more than other systems for the same car), I would not recommend it to someone who's looking for a great sounding exhaust.

Strengths:
*Strong material *Fair resistance to corrosion (304 stainless) *Nice mandrel bends (consistent diameter throughout) *Nice looking tip (if kept clean on the inside)

Weaknesses:
*Muffler design (mostly steel wool with perforated core and no composites) *Does not suppress high frequency noise well (raspy noise).

Similar Products Used:
*Apex N1 (Worse than thermal. So, loud that they supplied a baffle to suppress noise and sufficate power as well.) *OBX (You get what you payed for, but sometimes it sounds better than thermal) *Gre

Price Paid:  $140.00 from www.I forgot.com

Year / Model Reviewed:
 91 Civic Hatchback

Summary:
I needed a new muffler because I got my car used and I guess the person lived someplace where saltwater was because my exhaust was rusted out so bad that one of the tips fell off. I just left it that way for a while. I just ordered the muffler because that''s all I needed. At first I wanted a complete DC sports exhaust, but at the time(12/00)I couldn''t find one. I settled for just a muffler and am happier than a sissy with a bag of dicks. It is polished and sits very well under there. I don''t get on the motor because let''s face it, who am I going to intimidate with a 4 cyl, 110hp motor? All right then.

Strengths:
Nice pur at idle and a nice growl when I''m cruising. Sounds nothing like a fart can,lawn mower,mad bees or like when we were kids and put a card in our spokes. This muffler has me smiling.

Weaknesses:
My only hate is that I have a single tip. I will get duals one day, but it''s not on my list just yet. Maybe oneday I''ll swing by Midas and get a dual tip installed. That''s what the cutout size on the rear bumper is for.

Similar Products Used:
I haven''t used any simular products. I am very pleased with this one though.

Price Paid:  $140.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 96

Summary:
Well first of all when I purchased this mufller it was a little heavy. When I went to go install it and I turmed on the car it sounded sweet. Nice deep throaty sound not to loud and raspy but more deep and mellow. Nice looking muffler. Good quality. I would recomend this muffler for those who want a nice sound but not to loud. For loud and deep sound I would recommend the tsudo aggressor series or obx cannon/ BAZOOKA

Strengths:
Good quality

Weaknesses:
a little heavy

Similar Products Used:
rated 9 out of 10 on my list