I picked up a used Thermal for a price I couldn't pass up. Installed it yesterday, and so far I'm happy with it. It has a deep tone, and it isn't as loud as my custom 2.5" with Magnaflow mufflers was. It actually seems to get quieter above 5k rpm. Midrange power seems improved over the stock exhaust.
Note that the exhaust is not fully stainless steel. The piping is 2.25" stainless, and the mufflers appear to be mostly stainless. The inlets and outlets of the mufflers are mild steel, as are the flanges. The piping is beautiful.
The fitment of this exhaust is fantastic, I would say as good as stock. Here are some pics, notice the adapter between the cat and the exhaust: this is the Greddy adapter, the Thermal I picked up is actually made for an SH (for those that don't know, I have a base Sportshift). Ignore the dirt, I know it needs a bath
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY5ODIzNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTQ5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTUwNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTYwNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTUxNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTUyNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTUzNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.******************.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wODY4NTU5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/img]
Sound clips! 56k death (especially since they are being hosted on wtdr)! These were taken with my Sony DSC-P9 in the lowest resolution MPEG mode. I actually have a much better video, but it is 45 megs, and I have no way of hosting it. If anyone would like to host a 45 meg video for me, please PM me.
Keep in mind, I have a JRSC, so in some parts of the clips when I am really getting on it, you are hearing how it sounds during boost with the blower. On an NA car it would sound more like in the first 2 clips below, before I make the U-turn. Also, I cannot attest to how this would perform on an NA car, but considering the piping and the straight through design, I can only assume it would perform as well as an N1 or a Mugen.
Interior, windows up:
http://www.******************....DE%3D
Interior, windows down:
http://www.******************....DE%3D
Exterior:
http://www.******************....DE%3D
This exhaust typically is around $600 brand new, but you can occassionally find them used!