Whats up guys,

I have an 89 Camaro with a 305. I was thinking of installing an electric cutout, but I just had a few questions before I go ahead and buy it.

1. Where would the correct location be to install the cutout? I was thinking of removing my catalytic converter (I do not have to do emissions) and putting it there.

2. Am I going to have to weld the cutout onto my exhaust pipe?

3. What is the stock size for my exhaust pipe? About 6 months ago I had to get a new muffler and pipes for everything behind the cat. I just measured it and it is 2.5" in diameter, so I assume from the headers to the cat is 2.5" as well.

4. Will removing the cat and keeping the cutout closed be louder than stock with the cat still there? I am using my camaro as a daily driver so I would like it to be quite until I open the cutouts.

5. I am thinking of purchasing this cutout: http://www.dmhperformance.com/ecutout.htm
Do I need the flowtech or without the flowtech?

Please let me know if there is anything else I should be checking out or should know before I start this small project. As always, thanks for the help.

 

1) You cout put the cutout Y directly in front of the cat. Or, if you are intent to remove the cat, in place of it.
2) probably
3) 2.5" sounds like the usual V8 stock size.
4) Yes, removing anything from the exhaust will likely make it louder. Removing the cat should not be enough to be concerned.
5) Don't know.

 

for a daily driver they are kind of a waste. i put one on my daily and they just get too hot and burn the motor out cause of that. lasted about 4 months before it was dead

 

Cool, thanks Joe. Billy, what do you mean they get too hot and burn the motor out? Like the part gets too hot and the electric motor to open and close the cutout breaks?

 

I've known a few dudes who have had the electric cut-outs, and almost everyone of them has had problems with them. Mostly not sealing, or the electric motor burning out. The easiest way is to get the cutout that has the 3 wing nuts on them. Just crawl underneath or stick your arm under and you're done.

 

khulsebus, that is a bummer to hear. The reason I am looking for electric tho is so if I'm at a light or cruising around I can open it real fast and then close it real quick. If I had a normal cutout where I would have to crawl under the car I think my neighbors would kill me haha.

 

I've had them before, going to put one on this car once I fix the exhaust. It does make you think twice about opening the exhaust when you have to reach under the car to do it, especially when it's hot. I normally kept them closed, except for the weekly car show nights. Maybe if someone could fix the issues with the electric ones, I'd consider it.

 

Lets say I go with an electric and the motor burns out. How tough would it be to swap the electric motors?

 

yes the electric motors burn out fast in them from the heat of daily driving. they are not hard to change but not sure of the cost, once mine burnt out I just left it cause it only lasted a few months anyways

 

If you do buy one get it at a place like Summit Racing or Jeg's Performance where you have some sort of warranty.

But as far as a cut out is concerned I would pass .

Instead I would spend my money on replacing the stock type muffler and put on one that gives a car that mellow but mean sound at idle/cruising, but that turns into a little monster when its revved or it hits WOT.

 

The farther back you place the cut-out, the longer it will live (farther from the source of the heat). Ron USMC also makes a good point, what you really need to do is to open the exhaust up. These cars need a good set of headers and a full length exhaust, a single 3" works well for about 80% of the cars on here. The other 20% aren't asking what exhaust to run, they are making their own.

 

Luckily my work is only about 2 miles away from my house, so at most I am putting on 10 miles a day if I have to run errands. Do you think it would still burn out pretty quick?

I am not really trying to put much money into the car, hence the cutout instead of a full exhaust system. Also, I already replaced the muffler with a stock one because I want it to be pretty quite when the cutouts are not open.

 

Might be fine, but if you're only driving 2 miles each way, I doubt that your engine is even up to operating temp by the time you shut it down. Either way, it's your car, build it the way that makes you happy.

 

Alright, I think I am going to chance it and purchase the cutouts. Thanks for the help guys, especially khulsebus. Really appreciate it man.

 

Best place for a cutout? Trash can. (unless you like the car sounding like a dumptruck)

Buy a GOOD catback and you'll be miles ahead.

 

Thanks for the advice ttop350, but I do not want my car to be loud at all time, hence the cutout.

 

You're welcome. Just for the record, you can get a cat-back that isn't obnoxious loud. I put one for my Durango when I had it, best part was combined with the K&N intake I picked up 6 mpg. The Hemi also didn't sound like a vacuum cleaner anymore, but when I took it back to the dealership when I got rid of it, they had no idea I had done anything to the exhaust. Point is there are other cat-back systems than the obnoxiously loud ones.

But like I said earlier, it's your car. Build it the way that you want.