The stripped nuts and bolts were a pain in the ass but once I straightened them out with the tap and die (10mm 1.50) everything was relatively easy. I couldn't find directions but figured it out. I had to loosen certain couplers to get the whole thing correctly in line but I think I got it. I didn't hear any clunking.
When I cranked it up I immediately noticed that there is a new tone and it is a little bit louder. Its got a nice loud character in the higher RPMs under WOT and, as Ron said, no drone when cruising.
This is my first aftermarket exhaust so all I have to compare it to is a spec miata I drove once and the fiestas at Octane Academy. The Thermal seems more OFF and ON. It doesn't do its thing until you give it some gas. One thing I am noticing is that when I push the throttle down, give it a second or two to spool and start making noise, and then quickly release throttle, I get a surge of drone from the exhaust. Is that a normal thing? It's a pretty loud surge and doesn't really get that loud any other time. It's still loud and noticeable with minor throttle lifts any time the turbo is going.
I've only put about 45 minutes on it but so far I like the loud WOT with this exhaust.
