I'm thinking about getting cut-outs for my '96 SS. Where would I install them on a '96? Should I even bother, since I don't even have headers? I'm having trouble deciding between cut-outs, LTs, mids, shorties, Hooker, SLP, AS&M, etc.

 

dual cutouts on a stock exhaust is almost impossible, one of the cats bolts directly to the manifolds...so no room to put the cutout before it. if that's what you wanted to do.

otherwise just buy one cutout and put it before the axle.

although i would honestly save the $$ and just do a longtube header install with an offroad pipe.

pacesetter or hooker longtubes are the prime choices. forget about the shorties...they're worth only about 5hp. mids are a good compromise and give good clearance. MACs are probably the most common mids.

 

As stated if your low on money just get a cutout before the rear axle welded in ( that is what I have). Dual cutouts or a single cutout it doesnt matter wont flow near as good as with headers, because the main restriction is the stock manifold not the back end of the exhaust.

If money isnt an issue then you can get longtubes, with an off road y pipe into any aftermarket catback setup. or you could buy an x pipe a couple small mufflers (bullets) and take it to a shop and have them fab up a custom true dual setup....either dumping before the rear axles (cheaper) or going up and over the axles (more expensive and requires some pipe bending).

There are a lot of options, but one thing is for sure...get longtubes!

 

Thanx for the input. Unfortunately, smog hook-ups are the main reason I just found out I can't get LT's. So, it's either shorties or mids w/smog connections (so I was told by TByrne tech). Any further advice appreciated.

 

Hey, I also have a 96SS and I put on a cutout last year; with stock manifolds and the cutout placed a bit before the rear axle, I dynoed it 2 pulls first with closed cutout second pull cutout open. The second run showed a gain of 7rwhp & 9rwtq. It is a good cheap way to open up your ex. a bit and it sounds really bada$$ too.

 

Longtubes are availabe with AIR and EGR hookups.