cema93

Hey all. I know there is nothing new about exhaust cutouts. I know that they get a mixed bag of reviews. Some say they r pointless. Some say cool. I want some. I think it would be really cool to have a "quiet" exhaust then switch to stock car mode. I am in college and it appeals to me. Sorry lol

Heres my dilemma. I refuse to pay 200-$450 for e cutouts. It is NOT worth it. Period. All those companies r insane. There is simply not enough material, metal, electronics, or work put into that to be worth that much. It's not there. also I don't really want to pay for those mr gasket cut outs. So. I am going to try and build my own.

My plan is to take 36" of pipe and make two cutouts out of that. The main pipe will be 11 3/8" and the Y pipe coming off of that is going to be 4-6". Then I'll put on a turndown to direct it away from the car. I am having trouble finding material. Also I am going to try and make my own butterfly valve. Any suggestions or considerations? Thanks

jsimmonstx

Let's see:

0) The cost of 36-inches of pipe depends on the size and whether or not you want to use stainless. For the sake of estimates, let's say 2.5 inch stainless - $30 at summit (plus shipping). You also need a sawz-all if you want to make it easy on yourself.

1) Cutting out a butterfly should be easy, but machining a shaft and attaching it to a motor will be problematic, especially for a college student with no tools and no skills.

2) Then you have to weld up a Y-pipe and a pipe with a flange for the exit. Got a welder handy?

3) Then you have to buy clamps and bolts, unless you're planning on making those too.

4) Finally, you have to cobble together a wiring harness.

I'm all for hot-rodding, but if you ain't got the tools or skills, you're simply better off buying stuff that's already made. Plus when/if something goes sideways on you, you can do more than just cussing up a storm. It'll end up costing you at least as much as just buying a kit.

cedarmn

just my 2 cents but the "stock car mode" would get tired really quickly. I am all for big sound but part of the apeal of the mustangs to me is their unique sound. I personally just through on an offroad X pipe and think the car sounds mean. Also you will enjoy the performance gains from the x pipe.

BUT if you have your heart set on the cut outs I agree by the kit. It is always better to go with the clean kit that can be removed later

cema93

Jsimmon. Lots of points.

1) mine wont be electric.
2) I do have a sawz all
3)I got a buddy who is going to do alllll the welding for free
4)I am looking at some band clamps
5) ONE manual cutout from mr gasket is $60. So I gotta beat $120. I am pretty sure I can

jimkaray

I'd be worried about the butterfly leaking exhaust gasses. A block off plate at the end over a header reducer (or long one) with a gasket should work but would take a little longer to open up.

wcgman

You're having trouble finding materials? Where are you looking? Do you have a Napa anywhere near you? Other than the butterfly valve, the rest of this is pretty straightforward and I would think your biggest problem is going to be figuring out where you're going to run this under the car.

Have you thought about just finding a set of take off stock mufflers and boring them out, then when you want to swap, just do a muffler swap? I've got it down to about 15 minutes to swap them out. Heck...just have someone bend some pipe for you and use that.

Norm Peterson

I'd be more concerned about the butterfly shafts not sticking after a while, assuming that you can get the butterflies located accurately enough on them in the first place.

If I was going to do something like what you're describing, I think I'd search the junkyards or maybe Craigslist for a pair of dual-mode mufflers off the recent Camaros or Corvettes (aka the "NPP option") and find a way to adapt them. Mechanically they're solenoid-operated, and I'd just wire the solenoids to a toggle switch.


Norm

cema93

jimkaray,
i am really wanting to be able to open from inside the car. i am planning on using choke cables. your idea isnt bad though lol.

wcgman,
i wont run them like this enough at one time to warrant a muffler swap. not a bad idea though.

norm.
i guess i will just cross the "sticking problem" bridge when i come to it.

i am thinking of getting used throttle bodies for the butterfly valve area.

slickman

I just installed a set of these, cost was $310. When you figure in all the time and stuff that goes along with it. NOT worth it, spend the $300 and be done with it. I did mine because I'm a part time weekend track guy..

cema93

I just can't spend that much man. Besides. I'm getting a kick out of building this myself. I'm an engineering student