Electronic Exhaust Cutout

[teambeechstreet]

I saw the vid of IrateGT's electronic exhaust cutout from pfyc.com and its awesome! I was just curious if it helps release horses, or is it just for the great sound? Also, does it get placed between the muffler (mine's SLP) and cat, or between the cat and headers? My warranty will become void if I touch the exhaust tubing from the cat to the headers. Also, how long is installation? Do most shops also install the electric switch? Thanks for your time.

[5-lO]

Seth (Iceman) told me he got 3/10 of a second off his ET. Thats with SLP, Custom intake, and I forgot what else...

Jon

[IrateSpeed6]

Originally posted by teambeechstreet
I saw the vid of IrateGT's electronic exhaust cutout from pfyc.com and its awesome! I was just curious if it helps release horses, or is it just for the great sound? Also, does it get placed between the muffler (mine's SLP) and cat, or between the cat and headers? My warranty will become void if I touch the exhaust tubing from the cat to the headers. Also, how long is installation? Do most shops also install the electric switch? Thanks for your time. It does help release some horses... every little bit helps. The placement is between the muffler and the cat, right near the rear suspension. Installation, depending on the skill of the technician, may take 1/2 - 1 1/2 hours. As for the electric switch, I would advise you to try and do that yourself. I cringe at the thought of some shop charging you $50 to install a switch. Its really quite easy...

[cavingman]

where do you run the wire for it through?

[IrateSpeed6]

Originally posted by cavingman
where do you run the wire for it through? It courses along w/ the brake lines, up to the firewall, and through some random hole. I had to extend the QTEC wires to reach the cubby under the dimmer switch, but I didn't want to run the wires through the gas tank. :rolleyes:

[cavingman]

Originally posted by IrateGT
but I didn't want to run the wires through the gas tank. :rolleyes:

but, free fireworks!

[SikMindz]

And Brendan will drill the hole through the tank for you free of charge!

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by IrateGT
It courses along w/ the brake lines, up to the firewall, and through some random hole. I had to extend the QTEC wires to reach the cubby under the dimmer switch, but I didn't want to run the wires through the gas tank. :rolleyes:

How'd you extend the QTEC wires? I'm an idiot, so I wouldn't know how to!

[AaronGAGT]

cut the QTEC wires, add wiring of your own... just tie them together or solder them... very easy my friend

[X-ception]

Originally posted by cavingman
where do you run the wire for it through?

There is a grommet in the rear floor. IF you would sit in the back
seat on the driver side, It is right about where your left ankle would be. Its hidden behind the carpet. But if you take the seat off and fold the carpet down you can see it. Or, just lay down beside the car & look at the same spot just underneath it now, and you can see it that way too.

thats where I put mine through, its kinda hard to explain but just take a flashlight, you'll see it.

[PontiacGT2K]

When would you bust open the q-tec for best results? Like 4000+rpm? At lower rpm's you always want some backpressure...just wonderin.

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by PontiacGT2K
When would you bust open the q-tec for best results? Like 4000+rpm? At lower rpm's you always want some backpressure...just wonderin.

I just ordered mine and was thinking the same thing? When would it be best to open it up?

[IrateSpeed6]

In theory that's the best way to do it. Obviously Mitsubishi thought so too - they put a similar system on their 3000GT VR4 as a stock option.

[Schweppe23]

so is the cut out worth it....what kind of gains did u feel with it Irate? I'm considering it. any problems with it? Thanks

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by Schweppe23
so is the cut out worth it....what kind of gains did u feel with it Irate? I'm considering it. any problems with it? Thanks

Iceman claimed to have increased his 1/4 by 3/10 of a second. Its stated at the top of this thread! :thumbs:

[IrateSpeed6]

Originally posted by Schweppe23
so is the cut out worth it....what kind of gains did u feel with it Irate? I'm considering it. any problems with it? Thanks Well Schweppe23, I think its worth it - and it allows you to decide when you want it "open and obnoxious" or "closed and law-abiding" :)

[coupe]

I am gettin one very soon. Im excited.

[IrateSpeed6]

**Important point** I had no problems with it, but I contribute that fact to my pre-installation preparation:

- Inspect the entire cutout itself. Be sure to seal w/ silicone any openings near the electrical connections/wire path.

I think this saved me from my cutout cutting-out... :)

[zhd1000]

anyone have pics intsalled on a GA?? also for those who have ordered it already.. is that $35 flowtech cutout needed?? what is it?

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by zhd1000
anyone have pics intsalled on a GA?? also for those who have ordered it already.. is that $35 flowtech cutout needed?? what is it?

THERE IS AN .MPG OF IRATEGT'S CAR RUNNING, THEN THE CUTOUT OPENS UP. ITS WHAT GOT ME WANTING A CUTOUT. I DONT THINK HE HAS THE FLOWTECH PIPE THINGY. I DUNNO, IM SURE HE WILL HAVE A BETTER ANSWER THAN ME. :confused:

[IrateSpeed6]

YES, THE FLOWTECH Y-PIPE IS NECESSARY. IT IS A SECTION OF PIPE THAT HAS TO BE WELDED IN-LINE OF YOUR EXISTING EXHAUST PIPING, AND IT HAS A "Y" EXTENSION THAT THE CUTOUT ATTACHES TO.

[Greed4Speed]

Yet another manufacturer.

http://www.mccordcg.com/mpp/mpp.htm

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by IrateGT
YES, THE FLOWTECH Y-PIPE IS NECESSARY. IT IS A SECTION OF PIPE THAT HAS TO BE WELDED IN-LINE OF YOUR EXISTING EXHAUST PIPING, AND IT HAS A "Y" EXTENSION THAT THE CUTOUT ATTACHES TO. Ouch...all caps.

You can have the shop welding it do that custom.... shouldn't be a lot more extra.

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by PontiacGT2K
Ouch...all caps.

ITS NATIONAL CAPSLOCK DAY! :thumbs:

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23611

[lone_wolf025]

Wow old thread. Search feature FTW.

I've got a question I haven't found the answer to. I'm planning on ordering a cut out from http://www.dmhperformance.com/photogallery.htm namely because they warranty it for 4yrs. What is the recommended length of cable necessary to run into the little cubby beneath the dimmer switch. Also has anyone had any wiring issues (corrosion, shorts, insulation damage) with running it along the brake lines underneath the car due to crap getting at it?

And one more q: it comes in 2.5 I know it can be fit to 2.25. Anyone forsee a problem removing it in the future to fit with 2.5 tubing?

[IrateSpeed6]

My cutout came with plenty of wiring sufficient to get into the interior. You should have no issues w/ it running along the brake lines, just be sure to use grommets where necessary. As for the size - its such a small difference, it shouldn't be noticeable so long as your exhaust guy knows what he's doing.

[lone_wolf025]

Yay. Order on the way then. Thanks.

[teambeechstreet]

damn, cant believe ive been on this site since that long back even though i barely frequent the site anymore. have fun with the cutout

[zhd1000]

has anyone ordered a qtec lately?? i remember reading about problems with them just wonderin if they did anything about it... :meh:

[AaronGTR]

I put one in last month. Working fine so far.

[lone_wolf025]

Quick question: How do you wire up the power for the switch? The instructions say to bring it to a fuse block which is easy enough, I'm wondering how others did it so I have an idea how to do it myself.

[EnVeE 02]

2 questions. where can I find a video of one of these on a GA? And when the car is just idleing is it still loud or just when you get up on the gas?

[harvester45]

has anyone ordered a qtec lately?? i remember reading about problems with them just wonderin if they did anything about it... :meh:

I'm not sure if he had the QTEC or another cutout, but I know that Brandon (botlfed) had some trouble with his being stuck closed, although I believe he got his fixed.

...when the car is just idleing is it still loud or just when you get up on the gas?

Before I had my downpipe hooked up to my exhaust, mine was obnoxiously loud, even at idle. Although I believe you can constantly vary the % that the QTEC is open.

[EnVeE 02]

so this thing is really t hat loud? BTW what does a downpipe do?

[coupe]

Its not the cutout that is loud, bypassing the muffler is whats loud.

Its what connects your exhuast manifolds to the rest of your exhuast system.

[EnVeE 02]

thanks coupe...can someone tell me where to find a video of a grand am with the cutout???

[iceman]

I can

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/search.php

[EnVeE 02]

thanks iceman

[AaronGTR]

1) I wired power for my switch to my auxiliary fuse box. Most don't have one of those though. Really you can wire it to anything that is hot when the ignition is on. You don't want it wired to something that is always hot because the switch lights up and will draw power. One good place is the wiper switch wire or fuse in the fuse panel. Other than that, get out the test light and start checking stuff with the ignition on.

2) The cutout is loud all the time when it's open. Doesn't matter if it's idle or WOT, you are running straight exhaust with no muffler. When it's closed it sounds much like a stock exhaust.

3) I've never personally seen a video of a cutout in action on a GA, but there might be one out there. I'm planning on making one of mine eventually.

[iceman]

there's a realy good thread on the QTEC w/ everyone posting vids and clips, MattsGTP, me, I cant' remember who else.. some on my site as well. I recommend mccord power plate tho, heard about a lot of qtec's jammin up

[lone_wolf025]

That's why I went with DMH. They warranty it for 4yrs.

[KnightRider04]

Guys I have seen this put on right after the cat before the resonator, it is a much better sound than if you place it in the back after the resonator. It will give it a much raw'er and deeper sound vs. the ricey sound if its all the way back there, I'll see if i can get some sound or video from the guy who has it.

[coupe]

Guys I have seen this put on right after the cat before the resonator, it is a much better sound than if you place it in the back after the resonator. It will give it a much raw'er and deeper sound vs. the ricey sound if its all the way back there, I'll see if i can get some sound or video from the guy who has it.

There isnt really any room just after the cat. You almost have to place it at the bend over the rear axle/suspension.

Most of us that install these dont have a resonator anyway.

[KnightRider04]

True, I'm still waiting for some pics or video from they guy that has it

[lone_wolf025]

I still have my resonator on...for now. But I will say there is nothing ricey about it. Also if you stop and think about it so long as there is no resonator the sound you get by putting it after the cat or before the axle isn't gonna be much different if at all.

Here's a link to a vid of my cutout. Granted its a little raspy under load, there is nothing but solid rumble coming from it and it is no fart can. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lIcOVeDEr8

[AaronGTR]

Putting it before or after the cat does change the sound somewhat. It's the same as having an exhaust with a cat and without a cat. They sound different because the cat reflects some frequencies and a certain amount of sound waves back to the engine, so not having one increases the amount of noise for the muffler to absorb. Thats why I think cat-less exhausts on these cars sound terrible.

[lone_wolf025]

Before or after a cat will make a difference, but the concern was a difference in sound in placing it just after the cat vs. just before the rear axle. I've heard a straight through exhaust (no muff or cat) and I liked the sound. Eventually when I get my full exhaust system and headers I'd like to go that direction.