I've searched the site many a time on the subject and many people seem pleased with their cut outs, yet i have not seen anyone try putting the cutouts before the cats. Some people brought up the fact that the O2 sensors just before the muffler would not recieve any exhaust. Would this be a bad thing? I figured that if i were to put the cutout before the cats i would have to replace the first of two on each side and buy a better cat for the each side, but still behind the cutouts. But if the engine tried to drown itself because it doesn't think there's any exhaust then i guess ill just have to do it right before the muffler :/

If anyone has an alternative i'm all ears please

 

If you put cut outs on, you wont be all ears for long..



LOl ...I crack myself up.....

Doug

 

I too, am very interested in this. Someone smart post soon!

 

I talked to a guy at a muffler shop and he said the only way that they could put in a better cat would be if it were damaged.... so i guess that ill go in there with my cut outs... if this deal with the O2 senseor thing is cool... and put a screw driver through the cats and say oops!... they he'll do both sides for $80 for the cats and the cutouts (if i bring in the cats) Anyone have a recomened cat that will keep my baby?

 

Here's some good news. the second O2 sensor has nothing to do with the timming, fuel/air ratio, etc. all it does is that if it detects that there is too much CO after the cats it will put up a litle light in the cab... Now if this is wrong (i got my info from a corvet guy) please do tell. but if that's right then we could put out cutouts in place of the pre-cats (the first cat on each side) and that would REALLY free up the exhaust. Now the only thing that concerns me is this TOO frre flowing with that. I've heard that sometimes freeing up the exhaust too much can actually make the engine lose torque? Has anyone else heard of this? If not then Ill post the pics of how the installation went in a few weeks

Mark

 

Spade$,

I'm not an exhaust expert, but I do know that there is a certain amount of backpressure necessary to maintain optimum low-end torque. Some guys have found this out the hard way by going with a more free-flowing muffler or catback system. They love the sound, but grieve the loss of low-end torque. While this may not be the case for all mufflers or catbacks, one thing is true: a more free-flowing exhaust will give you great sound and generally more high-end HP, but you'll lose low-end torque.

 

grr that's what i was afraid of... hmm.... do anyone know if putting the cut outs behind the cats... maybe right before the muffler would allow for enough back presure? if that's if well..... that will be that. But one question. what about the dragster and alcohol funny cars etc that just run solo headers... nothing more just a fat tube? oh well im happy i just got a call that my wheels are in so im going to stop this post

 

i have had my cut-outs on for about a month or so now.

i had the muffler cut and moved back so there is about 4-5 inches of pipe between the the 02 sensor and the cutouts.

...are they loud?...hell yes the are, @ WOT they will scream like open headers. MEAN thats the word.
....did i lose any torque?...a little if any, the throttle response was alittle different, better-seem to boost up alittle quicker.
and the engine ran fine w/ the same readings on my air/fuel ratio meter.
....do i like it? personally i loved it @ first. except i couldn't hear the tires spinning! and had to shut it off at drive-throughs cause i couldn't hear them talking!

They are capped off right now, job interviews!

i think i will go with a X-pipe in the future, heard that is better and makes faster times then the cutouts.

i am in no way a expert, just try to help by telling my experience and opions

kevin

 

I have had a cut out on my truck for about 4 months now and haven't yet capped it off. My cut out is on the pipe nearest to the driver's side. I only put the cut out on one pipe because i figured i wanted noise, but not too much. So far, I think i am gaining hp ad it definitely doesn't seem to be losng lowe end torque. I'd say, just go for the cut outs. oh, and, i did try to put them before the cats, but the muffle shops said they wouldn't recommend it, and they wouldn't do it.

 

hye-bolt-
won't different back pressure on one side of your exhaust mess with your engines performance?
that just sounds like it can't be good for your motor.