Cut-out Vs. Catback?
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Teching In
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From: ROFLMAO
Cut-out Vs. Catback? I was seriously considering going with the SLP LM, but have now turned my attention to going with just a cut-out as it is much cheaper and from what I have seen so far gains just as much if not a little more power. My only questions are would the cat-back have any other advantages over the cutout? and would the catback really sound that much better?
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? From a power standpoint, I don’t think there would be much difference, other than the fact that the cat back gives you a bigger I-pipe and mandrel bend over the axle. It really comes down to looks. I thought the stock WS6 tips were too small for the bumper cutouts, but I love how my 3” polished SS tips look that came with my Flowmaster system.
Also, cat backs give a more tuned sound than an open cut out.
Also, cat backs give a more tuned sound than an open cut out.
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 300
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From: Central Florida
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? IMHO, the cutout is just a cheap way to do things. It's basically the same thing as the LM without the noise. I have a cutout that dumps just before the passenger rear wheel. At 75-mph, with the t-tops off, I can still carry on a conversation without screaming at my wife or getting hoarse after a drive.
I'm considering the LM after I make the move to Grot's w/ the ORP. If it's too loud for me, I'm going to put the LM on my car to direct the sound more behind me than under the passenger compartment. It's all in what you want... the cutout is serious "bang for the buck". Catbacks seem to vary in price, sound and performance according to application.
I'd say post what mods you have, what mods you plan to have, then try to solicit opinions from people who have similarly modded cars.
Me, personally, I don't do a mod till I see a car similarly modded in person. I want to know exactly how a mod will affect my car before I do it. The cutout was a great mod on my car, but soon, when I move to LT's with and ORP, the cutout may be too much for me. We shall see... there's my $.02.
I'm considering the LM after I make the move to Grot's w/ the ORP. If it's too loud for me, I'm going to put the LM on my car to direct the sound more behind me than under the passenger compartment. It's all in what you want... the cutout is serious "bang for the buck". Catbacks seem to vary in price, sound and performance according to application.
I'd say post what mods you have, what mods you plan to have, then try to solicit opinions from people who have similarly modded cars.
Me, personally, I don't do a mod till I see a car similarly modded in person. I want to know exactly how a mod will affect my car before I do it. The cutout was a great mod on my car, but soon, when I move to LT's with and ORP, the cutout may be too much for me. We shall see... there's my $.02.
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Nawf Carolina
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? With a cutout you still have the smaller intermediate pipe though (2.75" I think) With a catback you get at at least a 3" pipe.
You could just hacksaw the muffler off if you really wanted to save money.
You could just hacksaw the muffler off if you really wanted to save money.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 39
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From: Wilson, NC
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? My thoughts were to try the cutout first, then see how I like the sound, and THEN get the LM. But I like the cutout so much, I gonna stick with it for a while. I consider the cutout the best bang-for-buck mod also. It rocks.
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? [quote]I'm considering the LM after I make the move to Grot's w/ the ORP. <hr></blockquote>
Bluestreek, I want to go ahead and save you a lot of money and time. The Loudmouth on an LS1 wihtout cats is the most god awful sound you will ever hear. It is terribly raspy, and anything less than WOT sounds like complete CRAP. I ran around with setup for almost 6 months, and I was seriously embarrsed to drive my car.....it was that nasty. The resonation at 2300-2700 rpm's sounds like an atomic fart, I kid you not! For your future setup, I would highly recommend the Hooker catback system. It's THE BEST catback for the money and performance. My car sounded like pure viagra with this exhaust and no cats. Very clean, very deep, no rasp, quiet at idle, quiet while cruising, and SCREAMS at WOT. What more could you ask for?? Definately give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. Email me if you have any other questions.
For you guy's with basically stock cars equipped with cats, the Loudmouth is second to none. Definately the meanest sounding note you can get on a stock car. Nothing flows better than something that doesn't have a muffler LOL. I have also ran a cutout on my car, and I promise you will begin to hate it after a while. The Loudmouth is a much cleaner sound. But like I said above, if you plan on taking your cats off, you couldn't go wrong with a Hooker <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
Cheers <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">
Josh
Bluestreek, I want to go ahead and save you a lot of money and time. The Loudmouth on an LS1 wihtout cats is the most god awful sound you will ever hear. It is terribly raspy, and anything less than WOT sounds like complete CRAP. I ran around with setup for almost 6 months, and I was seriously embarrsed to drive my car.....it was that nasty. The resonation at 2300-2700 rpm's sounds like an atomic fart, I kid you not! For your future setup, I would highly recommend the Hooker catback system. It's THE BEST catback for the money and performance. My car sounded like pure viagra with this exhaust and no cats. Very clean, very deep, no rasp, quiet at idle, quiet while cruising, and SCREAMS at WOT. What more could you ask for?? Definately give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. Email me if you have any other questions.
For you guy's with basically stock cars equipped with cats, the Loudmouth is second to none. Definately the meanest sounding note you can get on a stock car. Nothing flows better than something that doesn't have a muffler LOL. I have also ran a cutout on my car, and I promise you will begin to hate it after a while. The Loudmouth is a much cleaner sound. But like I said above, if you plan on taking your cats off, you couldn't go wrong with a Hooker <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
Cheers <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">
Josh
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Launching!
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From: Marlboro, NY
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? I thought about the cutout but decided to go with the catback first because I wanted to get some nice tips and better sound without getting loud all the time. The Corsa sounds pretty good but the cutout may be coming soon. Just for the fun.
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Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 39
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From: Tampa, Florida USA
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? While I don't think my exhaust sounds like at Atomic Fart exactly <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> I will admit that the Loud Mouth sounds MUCH, MUCH different with my SLP LT Headers and no cat's. It sounds terrific at WOT at higher RPM's. But it doesn't sound very nice when you lug the engine (low rpms + medium or greater throttle). I've had my headers on for a month or so now, and I'm still not used to the sound. I may have to look into the Hooker setup.
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? [quote]Originally posted by Kyle B:
<strong>While I don't think my exhaust sounds like at Atomic Fart exactly <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> I will admit that the Loud Mouth sounds MUCH, MUCH different with my SLP LT Headers and no cat's. It sounds terrific at WOT at higher RPM's. But it doesn't sound very nice when you lug the engine (low rpms + medium or greater throttle). I've had my headers on for a month or so now, and I'm still not used to the sound. I may have to look into the Hooker setup.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Kyle, definately give it a shot. You won't be disappointed. A local buddy of mine gained 16 rwhp with a Hooker catback vs. stock, it flows damn good. The aerochamger design is one of the highest flowing mufflers available. If you have an Advanced Auto Parts near you, go order it from them. All you will have to pay for is the catback, shipping will be free. Best 270 bucks I ever spent <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">
Josh
<strong>While I don't think my exhaust sounds like at Atomic Fart exactly <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> I will admit that the Loud Mouth sounds MUCH, MUCH different with my SLP LT Headers and no cat's. It sounds terrific at WOT at higher RPM's. But it doesn't sound very nice when you lug the engine (low rpms + medium or greater throttle). I've had my headers on for a month or so now, and I'm still not used to the sound. I may have to look into the Hooker setup.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Kyle, definately give it a shot. You won't be disappointed. A local buddy of mine gained 16 rwhp with a Hooker catback vs. stock, it flows damn good. The aerochamger design is one of the highest flowing mufflers available. If you have an Advanced Auto Parts near you, go order it from them. All you will have to pay for is the catback, shipping will be free. Best 270 bucks I ever spent <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">
Josh
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,080
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From: HP Illinoiz
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? Cut out here!!
Yup..the "Poor Man's Borla"!!! <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
I've had mine for over a year and I love it...
I wouldnt change a thing.
I thought about the big dollar exhaust but changed my mind when I first 'heard' the cutout.
I was driving behind NORB for an event and loved his exhaust. I had no idea it was a cutout!
He gave me the info, we checked it out, told me where to have it done..etc..etc..
The next week I had mine put in.
Best bang for the buck?!?! YOU BETCHA!
As far as exhaust tips go? Aside from the fact that I can get basically the same gains with the cutout vs a whole 600+ dollar catback, I actually LIKE the stock tips!
The aluminum tips on the stock formulas look great! Its the first factory setup I actually think is cool! (On my 95, I had the exhaust swapped for a flowmaster 2 weeks after driving off the showroom floor)
As for sound...to me, to my ears, in my head, I hear THE TRUE SOUND OF AN LS1. Its not 'tuned' as it would be thru a borla or LM. Its just past the cats and out of the cutout.. For me, its what its 'supposed' to sound like without a silly muffler. <img src="images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">
I would recommend a cutout before a cat-back any day.
Also, the obvious bonus... One plate, one gasket, 3 bolts and your back to stock! <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
Yup..the "Poor Man's Borla"!!! <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
I've had mine for over a year and I love it...
I wouldnt change a thing.
I thought about the big dollar exhaust but changed my mind when I first 'heard' the cutout.
I was driving behind NORB for an event and loved his exhaust. I had no idea it was a cutout!
He gave me the info, we checked it out, told me where to have it done..etc..etc..
The next week I had mine put in.
Best bang for the buck?!?! YOU BETCHA!
As far as exhaust tips go? Aside from the fact that I can get basically the same gains with the cutout vs a whole 600+ dollar catback, I actually LIKE the stock tips!
The aluminum tips on the stock formulas look great! Its the first factory setup I actually think is cool! (On my 95, I had the exhaust swapped for a flowmaster 2 weeks after driving off the showroom floor)
As for sound...to me, to my ears, in my head, I hear THE TRUE SOUND OF AN LS1. Its not 'tuned' as it would be thru a borla or LM. Its just past the cats and out of the cutout.. For me, its what its 'supposed' to sound like without a silly muffler. <img src="images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">
I would recommend a cutout before a cat-back any day.
Also, the obvious bonus... One plate, one gasket, 3 bolts and your back to stock! <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 329
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From: SoFla
Re: Cut-out Vs. Catback? I had a Flowtech 3" cutout on my Z for a while and then when the SLP LM came out, I jumped in on the 1st GP. A few reasons I went with the LM over the cutout:
1) wanted a different look other than stock tips
2) most catbacks have a non-polished muffler and I was used to a fully polished Decoma muffler on my 94Z. The LM looks awesome polished! One solid 2.5" pipe crossing the rear from the passenger to drivers side makes for a clean less cluttered look. Plus most mufflers are offset to the drivers side and the LM eliminates that.
3) I wanted an resonably priced stainless steel catback that could be polished.
4) Got to have a 3" intermediate pipe to help allow more flow.
5) Mandrel bent tubing!
6) unless you go with the jet hot coated cutout, I hope you like the look of rust, because that is the color your cutout will be in no time.
7) the cutout rattled like crazy with any revs
8) the cutout also created mind numbing internal resonance.
9) the LM is just as loud as the cutout but sounds more refined,tuned and has less resonance.
10) LM = less weight compared to the stock exhaust with a cutout (or most other catbacks for that matter)
So, to sum it up...
Cutout = a good, price effective, loud, and temporary exhaust mod, 'till you decide to upgrade
SLP LM = full blown bang for the buck 3" stainless steel exhaust. When you just can't justify paying $500 or more for a heavier muffler type design which yields (basically) the same power, the LM is an awesome buy!
<img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
1) wanted a different look other than stock tips
2) most catbacks have a non-polished muffler and I was used to a fully polished Decoma muffler on my 94Z. The LM looks awesome polished! One solid 2.5" pipe crossing the rear from the passenger to drivers side makes for a clean less cluttered look. Plus most mufflers are offset to the drivers side and the LM eliminates that.
3) I wanted an resonably priced stainless steel catback that could be polished.
4) Got to have a 3" intermediate pipe to help allow more flow.
5) Mandrel bent tubing!
6) unless you go with the jet hot coated cutout, I hope you like the look of rust, because that is the color your cutout will be in no time.
7) the cutout rattled like crazy with any revs
8) the cutout also created mind numbing internal resonance.
9) the LM is just as loud as the cutout but sounds more refined,tuned and has less resonance.
10) LM = less weight compared to the stock exhaust with a cutout (or most other catbacks for that matter)
So, to sum it up...
Cutout = a good, price effective, loud, and temporary exhaust mod, 'till you decide to upgrade
SLP LM = full blown bang for the buck 3" stainless steel exhaust. When you just can't justify paying $500 or more for a heavier muffler type design which yields (basically) the same power, the LM is an awesome buy!
<img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
