Thermal R&D 3" Exhaust

[BC3I]

ok so i am still saving for my turbo and i was wondering if this would be a good idea after i got the Turbo put on.

I saw on another thread the Juan said that if you could find a 3" exhaust system for the Turbo application that you would be able to push a few more ponnies out of it

So i went to Thermal R&D cause i live like 5 min away from them and they gave me a quote from the Downpipe back (if the Hiboost comes w/ one) with a high flow cat $900 installed.

So 1st. sound like a good idea?
2nd. good price?

i know that they make great quality products...i just was wondering if anyone has seen better? Thanks

[Gambino]

Good idea - yes
Good price - i dont think so

seems a bit high to me, I could be dead wrong though, never done a 3" exhaust. A 3 inch exhaust seems to be good for more than a few ponies though, maybe 20+

[Protege2K]

If that is mandrel bent then I say it is a reasonable price, one that I would be willing to pay.

[JBreed]

I believe Vibrant has 3"exhaust for 800

[BC3I]

Good idea - yes
Good price - i dont think so

seems a bit high to me, I could be dead wrong though, never done a 3" exhaust. A 3 inch exhaust seems to be good for more than a few ponies though, maybe 20+
im sorry yes it is mandrel bent and S.S. an thats installed, i thought Vibrants was 2.25"?

[Gambino]

hmmm.....I guess I was wrong about pricing. that just seems high as hell

[briand805]

ok so i am still saving for my turbo and i was wondering if this would be a good idea after i got the Turbo put on.

I saw on another thread the Juan said that if you could find a 3" exhaust system for the Turbo application that you would be able to push a few more ponnies out of it

So i went to Thermal R&D cause i live like 5 min away from them and they gave me a quote from the Downpipe back (if the Hiboost comes w/ one) with a high flow cat $900 installed.

So 1st. sound like a good idea?
2nd. good price?

i know that they make great quality products...i just was wondering if anyone has seen better? Thanks


Hiboost kit comes with a downpipe.


well the 2.5 draxas thermal R&D exhaust is $530.. probably can offer it that cheap because of volume. Is say if your exhaust will be the same quality being a 1 off and 3" plus installed that is probably a fair price. That is if it is polished stainless with flanges instead of slip joints.. Just make sure they dont make the mount hangers to long. I had to cut the ones on my draxas exhaust as they were ridiculously long and tore up the heat shielding.

[BC3I]

i will keep that in mind

[tsunami]

as it is a one off, price doesn't sound bad at all, then again, i believe they make draxas exhaust so all they would have to do is make the same pipe with the same bends just 3" maybe talk to them about marketing it for mazda3's as a turbo upgrade and since the mazda speed is due out next year and the custom turbo set ups there is a market for it, maybe get a discount????

[BC3I]

hhhmmmm....very interesting......we will see

[mobomelter]

i think that price is way off perosnally. but i don't feel like going to my local exhaust shop to prove it. 900 is far too much to spend on an exhaust.

EDIT: i guess with a high flow cat it isn't bad if you figure 300 for a cat and 600 for the exhaust. still is too high for me.

[BC3I]

well it sounds damn worth it to me so i will mention the Turbo upgrade thing to the owner @ Thermal and see what he says

[GrandBelialKey]

that thermal shit is worth the money, possibly .... the only people who might disageee prob dont own one... (deadhorse (deadhorse (deadhorse (deadhorse

[AzMz3]

That price is way too much.
Tru-Bendz offers a 3" exhaust for the Mazda3. It is not a direct bolt on, as you have to weld on the hangers and flange to fit. And the SS exhaust is pretty cheap even compared to the 2.5" ehaust out there.
I have mine coming with just a straight through Magnaflow muffler and extra flanges all for less than half of what they want.
I will have mine on and "try" to dyno it all stock with a 3" exhaust for shits and giggles.
Then it will be turbo time


And the MS3 is not due out next year....all rumor!

If anything you should see if Thermal or Draxas will use you as a test bed for a 3" exhaust. With kits coming out there will be a market.

[chrisyoung10]

Vibrants exhaust is 2.36"

[BC3I]

i have never heard of TruBendz i looked up there stuff..it looks like good quality but i also like the fact of Thermal only being 5min away if i have any ?'s or problems...and i know that Thermal makes great quality stuff so i dont mind paying the extra amount...plus for now at least...it will be 1 of a kind

[RHAGEL]

i have never heard of TruBendz i looked up there stuff..it looks like good quality but i also like the fact of Thermal only being 5min away if i have any ?'s or problems...and i know that Thermal makes great quality stuff so i dont mind paying the extra amount...plus for now at least...it will be 1 of a kind I would say go with Thermal, remember price isn't everything. I always try to buy locally, or at least within the state. Since CA is going through a budget crisis try to keep your buing within the state, your tax dollars go a long way. Not to mention that most cities budgets are composed of 60% tax revenue; so the more you buy from your own city, the more money is put into things like infrastructure and crime prevention. Just something to think about when you think about buying from some business over the internet from someone you don't know.

[BC3I]

true...true...

I Hate Living in CA sometimes (pissed) they have too many regulations and laws about stupid shit

[JBreed]

im sorry yes it is mandrel bent and S.S. an thats installed, i thought Vibrants was 2.25"?


nah, a buddy of mine has the vibrant, it comes in 3"

[tsunami]

not for the mazda3.... or they aren't advertising it anyways...

[JBreed]

ahhh...ok, my bad!

[APEXistud]

If it is a Full Stainless Steel 3 inch turbo back, then I would say that $900 sounds right on the money. If you search in the MSP Forums, you'd find that the average 3 inch turbo back SUS exhaust will put you back around $875-$1100 depending on the manufacturer. Thermal has been doing 3 inch exhaust systems and custom applications for a very long time. I'd say go for it. Remember......

"PRICE IS ONLY AN ISSUE IN THE ABSENCE OF VALUE"

The fact that they're close to you house, that they have experience with customer one of jobs and finally they have good customer service should say something.

[briand805]

My 3" stainless exhaust gets here tuesday..
I paid $440
http://www.trubendz.com/home.asp?producttype=exhaust&productfor=mazda3_standard&pagetype=productIndex

[AzMz3]

My 3" stainless exhaust gets here tuesday..
I paid $440
http://www.trubendz.com/home.asp?producttype=exhaust&productfor=mazda3_standard&pagetype=productIndex


Hey thats the same exhaust I got! (cool)

Herb

[BC3I]

My 3" stainless exhaust gets here tuesday..
I paid $440
http://www.trubendz.com/home.asp?producttype=exhaust&productfor=mazda3_standard&pagetype=productIndex


is that s.s. from the down pipe back w/ high flow cat and mandrel bent? when u get it post some pics please

[AzMz3]

is that s.s. from the down pipe back w/ high flow cat and mandrel bent? when u get it post some pics please


It is SS from the flex-pipe back. I'm sure you could get a hi-flow cat in there if you wanted too.
Mine doesn't have one.
I might be getting a resonator depending on how the exhaust sounds with the turbo!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/738000-738999/738167_77_full.jpg

Herb

[briand805]

No cat here either// I also have one of these comming (electrical cutout)
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/store/images/products/25_large.jpg

[Rennoc]

repost enough times?

[BC3I]

No cat here either// I also have one of these comming (electrical cutout)
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/store/images/products/25_large.jpg


what is that?

[mobomelter]

what is that?
if i'm not mistaken it lets you route the exhaust down another pipe. for example you could have that cutout and run mufflers until you hit the track then flip a switch and go to straight pipes.

[BC3I]

hhhmmmm very interesting

[AzMz3]

if i'm not mistaken it lets you route the exhaust down another pipe. for example you could have that cutout and run mufflers until you hit the track then flip a switch and go to straight pipes.


Most just let it dump under the car. And I believe it also lets you adjust flow through to the rest of the exhaust. I'd put a turn down tip on it.

Should be very interesting to hear a trubo 3 dumped right after the down pipe.
Should get the turbo spooling alittle faster.

Herb

[briand805]

this pretty much explains it here.
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/QTEC/

[BC3I]

those are some nice estimated gains...hmm how much was it?

[MazdaAxela]

this pretty much explains it here.
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/QTEC/ Most helpful if you want to take it to the track..quite nice :)

[briand805]

those are some nice estimated gains...hmm how much was it?
QTEC30CP Single 3 Inch Electirc Valve, Wiring, Toggle Switch and Cutout Ypipe(stainless) For single exhaust cars and trucks.
Price: $199.99