Exhaust Cut-outs

[TI4406]

Hey guys well i was searching on here and didnt really find anything on this. But im thinking about getting some exhaust cut-outs on my GT and was reading that to much back pressure decreases performance but also that not enough backpressure also decreases performance. Like they said dont get 3" piping unless your gonna do a turbo or supercharger. So with this in mind is a cut-out something i need to worry about? Im thinking of just something cheap for now cuz i not real sure if i want to put money into my car or if i wana save up for something else. So im gonna get the exhaust cut outs for 2.25 inch pipes and just have a shop either cut out the resonator and put it right after the cat, or leave the resonator and put it right before the resonator right after the cat. Do you think that this would make it difficult to access if im like going on a long trip? If so where would be a good place to put it, and resonator or no resonator? Thanks! Also would appreciate a link to anyone who has the cut-outs cause the ones ive been searching on seem like there all dead.

[timberwoof]

Talk to Lone_wolf, by what I know he has a cut-out and can tell you more.

[silvergtjrad]

For the cost of a cutout, and installation, you can buy the pacesetter cat back. You only need basic hand tools to install it, and it can easily be done in a few hours. Lone_wolf had some reliability issues with his cutout as well IIRC.

[AaronGTR]

Hey guys well i was searching on here and didnt really find anything on this. But im thinking about getting some exhaust cut-outs on my GT and was reading that to much back pressure decreases performance but also that not enough backpressure also decreases performance.

There are plenty of threads on cutouts here. It just takes some time reading to find what you want sometimes. The back pressure thing is an urban legend. Back pressure is NEVER good. What you want to avoid is losing exhaust gas velocity, which can happen with too large a pipe. You want to keep velocity up but with minimal back pressure. This is accomplished by using only as large a piping diameter as is necessary, but using straighter exhaust routing and smoother bends (ie mandrel bends).

So with this in mind is a cut-out something i need to worry about? I'm thinking of just something cheap for now cuz i not real sure if i want to put money into my car or if i wana save up for something else. So im gonna get the exhaust cut outs for 2.25 inch pipes and just have a shop either cut out the resonator and put it right after the cat, or leave the resonator and put it right before the resonator right after the cat. Do you think that this would make it difficult to access if im like going on a long trip? If so where would be a good place to put it, and resonator or no resonator? Thanks! Also would appreciate a link to anyone who has the cut-outs cause the ones ive been searching on seem like there all dead.

Well, you need to figure out your priorities I guess. How important is modifying your car to you, and do you want more performance or just want to be able to make it loud? Putting it after the cat will make the exhaust louder but will reduce back pressure less than putting it in front of the cat. Especially if the cat is still stock which I'm assuming is the case. You still have the resonator so I figure your whole exhaust is still stock? There's not much room between the cat and resonator so if you put the cut out after the cat, the resonator will have to go. The cut out will make the exhaust annoyingly loud though and not legal in most places so most people only use them at the drag strip, in which case it's mostly for performance gain and really should be in front of the cat. Either way I'd recommend an electric cut out so you can open and close it whenever you want without getting out of the car. I have one of these and they work great but cost a little more. quicktime cutout (http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/QTEC/index.php) You get what you pay for though. Personally, I'd wait on the cutout and save some money and just get a cat-back exhaust. It will eliminate the resonator and give you better piping, muffler, and tips, so it will sound better, look better, and give more power all the time.

[lone_wolf025]

What he said^

A cutout is a nice fun little toy, but what you have to realize is that's about all it is...a toy. Will you get some gains from it? Yea, but in the long run it screws with your tune and isn't consistent. Plus they only last for so long. I had one that was warrantied for 4 years and it burned out in about six months or so. It was a pain to get it replaced. Also a cutout is only really useful for full throttle applications. In theory a cutout will work better than a high flow exhaust, but only if it is controlled by the computer and properly compensated for. Only a few car companies have ever really messed with it as its too much work for too little gain.

In short, save your money, get a catback. In the long run you'll be happier with the performance and with the sound quality. When I get the money I'm ditching the cutout and getting a full custom system done instead.