making a "sleeper" exhaust?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 953
From: S. Ontario, Canada
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
Originally Posted by flatlander757
hey, i was planning on doing some stuff to the exhaust of my car this summer, but began thinking... my original plan was to have a sleeper car... stock hood, wheels, etc. well, since an exhaust can be a big give-away as to what you're running, would it make sense to get some LTs, high flow cats, and cutouts instead of the cat-back system i was originally planning on? i know it will cost more, but it should perform better i would imagine. would the stock y-pipe restrict it too much? do they make aftermarket street legal y pipes?
edit: also, i forgot to mention, i was referring to electric cutouts. if i were to come to a stop light and find i could get into a race, would it take time for the engine computer to realize it's got to tune itself differently when the cutouts are turned open? or is it like instant?
edit: also, i forgot to mention, i was referring to electric cutouts. if i were to come to a stop light and find i could get into a race, would it take time for the engine computer to realize it's got to tune itself differently when the cutouts are turned open? or is it like instant?
I have a single electric cutout located behind the cats, ahead of the stock muffler + tailpipes. It's the best of both worlds... only the cam gives it away when the cutout is closed - the whole world knows when it's open.
No issue with the computer.
Honestly, I don't think there's much (if any) difference in performace (with my setup) open or closed, but I don't have any track times with the new setup yet.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 509
From: Virginia beach
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
well when i come back from vacation at the end of the first week of july, i think im going to buy a manual cutout and get it installed. ill run it open a bit and see if i like it, and if it's worth it ill buy the electronic butterfly valve. if it's not, then its only $30 wasted. a tank of gas, but it's not that bad.
edit: when i say sleeper, i want it to be a sleeper when it is closed, definitely not open. i like a loud-*** exhaust so i have dogs barking a half mile away, but not until someone revs on me. i'd like to remain inconspicuous and sounds stock(which i am, but i dont plan on it for long) then if someone wants to race, ill flip the switch to see the look on thier face. something along the lines of:
:blah: while they're thinking "oh crap, im gonna get 
"
edit: when i say sleeper, i want it to be a sleeper when it is closed, definitely not open. i like a loud-*** exhaust so i have dogs barking a half mile away, but not until someone revs on me. i'd like to remain inconspicuous and sounds stock(which i am, but i dont plan on it for long) then if someone wants to race, ill flip the switch to see the look on thier face. something along the lines of:
:blah: while they're thinking "oh crap, im gonna get "
Last edited by flatlander757; Jun 22, 2005 at 07:55 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 676
From: palmview, TX (RGV)
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
here's my old setup when i was still bolt-on's. pacesetter LT's, 3" y-pipe, 3" mandrel bent I-pipe, then a cutout before the axle, and finally to an OEM LS1 muffler + 2.75" chrome tips. my ultimate plan was to make it look like an LS1 WS6 setup from the factory, then get an electric cutout for the surprise attack at every light. through the muffler it was no louder than stock, but with the cutout open it was just mean as hell. gotta admit though that having best of both worlds was very convinient(sp??) when i had to take girls home after parties or when your head hurts.
Advanced Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874
From: Under The Hood
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
Originally Posted by street demon2k3
here's my old setup when i was still bolt-on's. pacesetter LT's, 3" y-pipe, 3" mandrel bent I-pipe, then a cutout before the axle, and finally to an OEM LS1 muffler + 2.75" chrome tips. my ultimate plan was to make it look like an LS1 WS6 setup from the factory, then get an electric cutout for the surprise attack at every light. through the muffler it was no louder than stock, but with the cutout open it was just mean as hell. gotta admit though that having best of both worlds was very convinient(sp??) when i had to take girls home after parties or when your head hurts.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 509
From: Virginia beach
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
thanks for the info! im going to get the cutout hopefully in the next month(stupid vacation) and if i like it ill buy the electric part like i said.
does it sound good in person with all stock + cutouts?
does it sound good in person with all stock + cutouts?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 953
From: S. Ontario, Canada
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
Originally Posted by flatlander757
does it sound good in person with all stock + cutouts?
I love the sound, but it's a matter of taste. Usually the cutout is open, except when the law is around - no need to attract attention
Also, I like being able to close the cutout and not disturb the neighbourhood at night.At a steady cruising pace, it's not overly loud. The idle is very deep and "rumbly". Lift the throttle to coast and it burbles like crazy. Jump on the gas and it's LOUD.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,743
From: Mission, Kansas
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
My setup was jet hot long tubes into 3" custom made y-pipe into electric cutout into stock ls1 catback. It was very quiet at idle, not much louder than stock really, and with the idle up a little you couldn't even really hear the cam. That along with some 255/50/16 m/t dr's on stock 5 spoke twisties made the car look/sound like a high 13 second car, but in reality it ran high 11's on motor. 
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 467
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
It doesn't have to be expensive, you can convert to a single cat system, gut the cat, and go with a cut out.
BTW I wouldn't use Hooker headers just go with some non-coated PaceSetters LTs. Then your paying like 285 and not 630 for the same gains. I think they also make a Ypipe for like 120 something dollars not sure if you can use a cat with it though. If you can't just have a shop weld something on for you.
Besides what do you want them coated for if you are going for a sleeper system.
- Z28WannaB
BTW I wouldn't use Hooker headers just go with some non-coated PaceSetters LTs. Then your paying like 285 and not 630 for the same gains. I think they also make a Ypipe for like 120 something dollars not sure if you can use a cat with it though. If you can't just have a shop weld something on for you.
Besides what do you want them coated for if you are going for a sleeper system.
- Z28WannaB
Originally Posted by flatlander757
eh, it would get a bit costly. here are the prices i figure for everything:
coated hooker headers - $630
random tech y pipe + 2 cats - $570
single QTP cutout - $155
im not even sure what the measures of all the piping is, i need to figure out what the diameter of everything is before i buy it so i dont have a bunch of crap that doesn't fit.
coated hooker headers - $630
random tech y pipe + 2 cats - $570
single QTP cutout - $155
im not even sure what the measures of all the piping is, i need to figure out what the diameter of everything is before i buy it so i dont have a bunch of crap that doesn't fit.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 509
From: Virginia beach
Re: making a "sleeper" exhaust?
i remember reading a post a while back and it was nearly unanimous that coated headers were worth the extra money and many of the people said they'd never go back to non-coated. i think for my application though some cheap sub-$300 could possibly be attainable 
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