I got kind of tired of the noise level the Flowmaster catback had on my LT1, and I have now started to think that maybe a catback wouldn't be that good idea at all on a daily driver. Therefore I have thought about putting a cutout on my LS1.

That way I could get the best of both worlds: stock silent when capped and loud when ever needed .

Also, I will go with an electric one, since you don't have to crawl under the car every time you want to uncap it. And you can do it where and when ever you want/need.

A couple of questions, though: Do the cutouts leak (new or old)? Can you run the electric cutout in any position you want or just open/closed?

As far as I have learned, people tend to prefer the Flow Tech cutout and the QTEC electric valve. Any other comments?

Thanks guys!

TS

 

I had the loudmouth on my 1998 camaro. I like it for about a year but then I got sick of waking everyone up with the noise late at night. I now have the slp "two out the left" I am going to be getting an electric cutout like you said for the best of both worlds.....I have done some research and it looks like the qtec is the best ........besides the FLP one.....but that one cost $225 without the cutout.....With the QTEC you have the option.....you can get the switch that just open or closes all the way...or you can get the switch that allows you to adjust anywhere in between.....good luck

 

All cutouts are the same, as long as it's welded in well it will not leak. I suggest getting one from Summit Racing, they are only $27.

As for the electric plate, I've heard differeing opinions about the QTEC. Some people have seemed to have problems with the motor and gearbox failing.

McCord also makes electic plates. They are identical to the QTEC. They come with the 1 year warranty on the gearbox and motor, and a three year in the housing. It also comes with a swtich and an LED. They have special wiring that prevents over rotation of the plate. Another good thing is that they are $30 cheaper than the QTEC.

The FLP plate is a neat thing, but too damn expensive

 

I have a flowtech cutout i really wanted a electric one but you really don't have 2 climb under the car jus bend down n unscrew three nuts it takes about thirty seconds. Its great to go from the sound of a flowmaster muffler to the sweet sound of a cutout i make ricers n mustangs sound like what they really are nothin whatever cutout u get u'll like its pretty much preference and if u want to spend a extra 150 to be comfortable but remember electric cutouts from what i've heard n seen can short or break

 

Thanks for the info, guys.

I know that if it is welded on well, it won't leak from the seams. What I actually meant with the leaking is that how well does the plate on the electric cutout hold up against leaks?

That is interesting, because I found this quote from a thread that was going on earlier this year:

Therefore I wanted to get more info and opinions. Keep'em coming!

TS

 

I have the QTEC. I love it too. I busted it once, after hoping up on a curb, but got it fixed for next to nothing. A few months ago it stopped working. So I sent it in for repairs. It was out of warranty, but Barry @ Quick Time Performance fixed it and gave me a whole new motor under the warranty anyway. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. It works great. The best $170 I've ever spent on my car. I LOVE IT!!!

As a side thought, a friend has a DMH plate on his 96 LT1, and has never had problems with it.

 

What kind of warranty does the QTEC come with?

 

I think it is 1 year on everything.

 

So pretty much the same as McCord which was referred above. Except for the housing.

Still QTEC seems to be the best choice so far. Except for the more expensive ones which I won't probably consider.

But still the question remains: How well does the electric valve seal the exhaust off, i.e. does it leak from the valve at all?

Also, any strong reasons to have it coated? Not too much of salt and grime here in TX and I don't have a show car. At least not from the underside.

 

"From what I have heard and seen myself, Mccord is garbage, cheap plastic gearing and other cheap parts. They break and break often. Not a flame or anything, but when you've read the samething happening to so many people and seeing one yourself break makes you kinda wonder why its only $$xxx.xx$$"

I don't know who this guy is but he clearly hasn't done much research. The McCord is actually made up of cast metal gears. There is one plastic gear which is made of a high-temp nylon material. This gear is the furthest away from the hot exhaust gases, and can withstand higher temps than those from the exhaust anyways. That is paraphrased off the McCord website.

This is direct off their site: "To this date, we have not had one unit fail due to problems caused by heat, water, vibration or cold." Thats a strong statement.

Do some searches and I will gaurantee you that you will find more threads about problems with the QTEC than the McCord. I have never heard of anyone having problems with their McCord.

I don't support or hate either one. Just pisses me off when biased people start talking

 

Hence this thread and searches I have done.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ferocity02
[B]"From what I have heard and seen myself, Mccord is garbage, cheap plastic gearing and other cheap parts. They break and break often. Not a flame or anything, but when you've read the samething happening to so many people and seeing one yourself break makes you kinda wonder why its only $$xxx.xx$$"

I don't know who this guy is but he clearly hasn't done much research. The McCord is actually made up of cast metal gears. There is one plastic gear which is made of a high-temp nylon material. This gear is the furthest away from the hot exhaust gases, and can withstand higher temps than those from the exhaust anyways. That is paraphrased off the McCord website.

FYI
The origional McCord design DID have plastic gears and DID have problems. But to the best of my knowledge Keith has made it right with every customer that brought it to his attention. Even way after the warrantee period. And has changed the design to use stronger gears.

 

they leak a TINY TINY bit compared to not cutout at all when closed but its still really quiet. i close mine on the highway when i have the windows rolled up because drown is kinda bad if they are up.

 

Thanks for the info! Which brand do you have?

So, according to Ferocity02 and AL SS590 M6's post, I guess the McCord would nowadays be a resaonable alternative, too, eh...?

 

A couple more questions. Should be easy, though...

Stock I-pipe is 2.75", right...? So, I should get a 3" cutout, right...?

Thanks again!