Buying Cutout- Got a few questions.

Lokking at buying a cutout this weekend for my 00 Trans Am. Even after searching I am still a little confused on somethings.

1) Where exactly is the best place to place this cutout? before or after y-pipe etc...?

2) Should I get 1 or 2 cutouts? I plan on getting headers next spring And I want the best performance/sound without loosing back pressure. I do not plan on doing a cam or anything so I dont wanna loose the power I have. I keep seeing posts where some get one cutout and others get 2.

3) Are the brands all the same?

4) Is it going to be considerably louder? I am very unhappy with how quiet my stock exhaust it. Mostly at Idle but also at WOT.

If someone that knows what they are talking about could take time to answer these that would really help me out. Thanks Guys.

1. For best performance, two cutouts directly off of the headers. The norm is just one cutout located after the y-pipe, just before the rear axle. There is an indentation in the floor under the rear seat that allows for the cutout to be angle upward a bit.

2. For your goals, I'd stick with just one cutout mounted after the y-pipe.

3. Yes, most brands are the same. Afterall, it really just a piece of pipe with another pipe welded at an angle.

4. Yes, it will be significantly louder. I think you'll enjoy a cutout.

I highly recommend getting an electric valve like a McCord, QTech, or DMH. That way you can run quiet when you need to or run wide open at the flip of a switch. I've been running my cutout for 3 years now and love it.

Got a McCord and am very happy with it and the price!

It is not loud at all in my opinion. I think is sounds great, had one for a while before the headers/true duals. Most people put them in right before the rear axle.

It should be louder than stock in every way though shouldnt it? I always thought a cutout would be louder at idle, wot, and all the way through the rpm range.

Would liek Borla or GMMG be louder than a cutout in every way?

oh yea its louder. Mine sounds like a raped ape when its open and your floor it. Can be heard for blocks!

seems like eerything has been answered...

but i'll add this:

i have a cutout and an electric plate, both never used....that i want to sell. the combo of the two sells for $185 plus shipping. both of mine are brand new and i'm thinking $180 shipped.

let me know...you won't be dissapointed with a cutout

Mccord cutout $110
FLo-tech Cutout $33.99 Speed Inc
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Total $143.99 plus shipping

here's where i put mine http://www.stealthram.com/qtpcutout.html

now here's the results gained 11/13 on the dyno.

distance ------- closed ------ open
60ft ----------- 1.987 ------- 2.074
1/8 ------------ 7.902 ------- 7.912
mph ----------- 93.20 ------- 93.97
1/4 ------------ 12.102 ------ 12.080
mph ----------- 117.12 ------ 118.06

no change in ET. lost 60ft to gain mph.
worth it? up to you. louder? yes. annoying after awhile from the exhaust bouncing between the ground and car? to me, yes. mine's coming off as soon as i get a catback. i gained .4 and 2.3 mph putting the borla catback on the wife's 99 formula.

Ya thanks guys. The only thing I am still wondering about Is I already hate how quiet the stock exhasut is at Idle and I dont want it becoming even more quiet. I heard a cutout makes it even quieter at idle. Is this true?

QUIETER AT IDLE??!!!! :eek:

how on earth would bypassing the muffler make ANY thing quieter?

it will be like the stock exhaust at 3000rpms when you are at idle with the CO open...and even louder from then up


and the QTP cutout is $150 through the company, plus a $35 cutout...so my price isn't unreasonable.

it's debatable as to the difference in quality between Mccord and QTP...

Alright I have decided to go with a cutout. One last question. I plan on getting long tubes in the spring. Should I be fine with one on the I pipe with long tubes or should I put 2 right behind the headers?

it is just as quiet at idle as with the stock exhaust. but, as soon as you tip into the throttle, you know it's open.

No way. Man if I open mine at idle, you know its open.

its much louder in every way....when mine is idling it sounds like im at 3 grand with stock exhaust

Alright good. Do I need to worry about 02 sensors or an ses light going off if i put it under the rear passenger side?

I should only have one cat on a 2000 right? Cause i can smell that my cat is bad and was wondering if there would be an advantage to just putting the cutout where the cat. converter is.

Which place do you guys think is the best?

edit: I know Ive asked about how loud it is but would it be louder than borla? my friend has a 2000 ta with borla and it is about the perfect level of loudness.

you have 2 cats on the car...one bolted directly to the driverside manifold, one farther back on the passenger side.

there is not alot of room clearance wise to put cutouts behind the collectors on LTs...but it can be done.

you don't have to worry about problems with O2 sensors, as long as the cutout is behind them. i think only one cutout will still be sufficient on the LT setup, compared with two.

the problem with two is that they will be right under the front seats, causing CRAZY interior noise. so much so that you'll only want them open at the track. where farther back you'll be able to drive on the street with relative comfort.

Alright Im getting ready to order one and I found a place willing to put it on.

As far as I know the stock pipe is 2.5 inches but everyone seems to get a 3 inch even on stock? Wont I loose 2 much backpressure with a 3 inch?

Also whats the best angle to have them weld it?

And finally, I am getting longtubes and an ory in the spring. Will I be able to weld this same cutout to the ory or is this just a big waste of time? Also Im concerned that with LT, ORY and cutout I wont have enough back pressure.

No you wont lose anything going to 3 inch.

Angle it so you dont loose any ground clearence.

Dont worry about back pressure so much, jeez you running a 2 cycle in there. LT's and a cutout.......your LS1 will love you!