Hey there, gearhead! Have you been craving a deeper, louder rumble from your muscle car? Want to unleash the full throaty roar of your engine at the push of a button? Then you need to install an exhaust cutout. An exhaust cutout gives you the ability to open and close your exhaust pipe at will, bypassing the muffler for a straight shot of pure exhaust noise. With the cutout closed, you get a nice mellow rumble suitable for cruising the boulevards. Flip the switch and that rumble turns into an all-out bellow as the cutout opens up. Your engine will sound like an uncaged beast ready to pounce. Installing an exhaust cutout is easier than you might think and the results are oh so satisfying. Unleash your engine’s roar – install an exhaust cutout!
What Is an Exhaust Cutout?
An exhaust cutout is a valve that lets you bypass your muffler and release your engine’s raw roar. Installing one is a straightforward DIY project for any gearhead.
How It Works
A cutout valve mounts between your exhaust manifold and muffler. When closed, exhaust flows normally through your muffled exhaust system. Flip the switch to open the valve, and your exhaust is rerouted to bypass the muffler. The rumble of raw exhaust is music to any motor enthusiast’s ears!
What You’ll Need
To install a cutout, you’ll need a few basic tools:
- Exhaust cutout kit
- Wrenches or socket set
- Drill
- Exhaust clamps
- High-heat exhaust sealant
Installation
- Raise your vehicle and support it on jack stands. Allow the exhaust system to cool completely.
- Locate a straight section of exhaust pipe at least 18 inches from the exhaust manifold. This is where you’ll install the cutout.
- Mark cutout placement and drill pilot holes. Apply sealant around the cutout inlet.
- Mount the cutout and tighten the bolts.
- Cut out a section of your exhaust pipe. Attach exhaust pipes to both sides of the cutout with clamps.
- Connect the cutout valve cable and test. Your engine should roar when the valve is open and quiet down when closed.
- Start your engine and check for leaks. Make any needed adjustments to the clamps before lowering your vehicle.
With an exhaust cutout installed, you have the best of both worlds – a throaty rumble at the flip of a switch and a quiet, muffled exhaust when you want to keep the noise down. Unleash your engine’s roar!
Benefits of Installing an Exhaust Cutout Kit
Installing an exhaust cutout kit on your ride comes with some sweet benefits.
For starters, you get to unleash that roar when you want to. Flip a switch or press a button and your muffler opens up, releasing the thunder from your pipes. Talk about making an entrance! When you’re ready to mellow out again, just close it back up.
You also get improved performance. Without a muffler restricting airflow, your engine can breathe better and make more power. The cutout diverts your exhaust around the muffler, so you get all the rumble with none of the performance loss.
An exhaust cutout kit gives you the best of both worlds – a loud, free-flowing system when you want maximum power and sound, and a muffled, restricted system when you need to keep the volume down. You get to choose how loud or how quiet you want to be.
Installing a cutout kit is a straightforward job for any gearhead or performance shop. They tap into your existing exhaust pipes, mount the cutout valves, and run a bypass pipe. Some kits may require minor cutting or welding to install. But the end result is well worth a little custom work!
With an exhaust cutout kit, you have the freedom to unleash your engine’s roar and boost its power whenever the mood strikes. Loud and proud one minute, discreet and low-key the next. Now that’s performance and sound on demand!
How to Install an Exhaust Cutout on Your Vehicle
Installing an exhaust cutout on your vehicle is a straightforward process, but it does require some mechanical aptitude. Here’s how to unleash your engine’s roar:
Gather the necessary parts
You’ll need an exhaust cutout kit designed for your specific vehicle make and model, which typically includes:
- The cutout valve (also called a dump valve or cutout plate)
- Exhaust piping and clamps to connect the cutout
- A remote control to open and close the valve
- Mounting hardware to secure the cutout to your exhaust system
You may also want high-temperature exhaust sealant and extra clamps to ensure there are no leaks.
Find the right location
The cutout should be installed on your exhaust system after the catalytic converter, typically just before the muffler. This allows the maximum amount of exhaust to bypass the muffler when open. You’ll need to cut a hole in your existing exhaust pipe to weld or clamp in the cutout valve. Make sure there is enough clearance and access to properly mount the valve.
Install the cutout
- Lift and support your vehicle to access the underside. Allow the exhaust system to cool completely if the engine was recently running.
- Cut a hole in the exhaust pipe at your selected location. The hole should match the size of your cutout valve inlet.
- Weld or clamp the cutout valve into the hole you cut in the exhaust pipe. Apply exhaust sealant around the joints to prevent leaks.
- Attach the remote control cable to the cutout valve so you can open and close it from inside the vehicle.
- Test the cutout to ensure it opens fully and seals properly when closed. Lower your vehicle back to the ground.
With an exhaust cutout installed, you have the ability to unleash the full roar of your engine at the push of a button for a thrill ride sound or open it up at a car show. Just remember to close it when cruising to avoid excessive noise and fumes in the cabin!
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know to unleash your engine’s mighty roar. An exhaust cutout is an easy modification that lets you choose between a mellow purr and an aggressive growl with the flip of a switch. For a few hundred bucks and a couple hours work, you can transform your ride into a beast that announces its presence with authority. What are you waiting for? Get out there, find an exhaust shop, and get ready to scare some pedestrians. Your engine has a voice that deserves to be heard—turn up the volume and let that voice roar! Once you open that cutout, you’ll get an earful of horsepower and there’s no going back. Go ahead, you know you want to. Give in to the call of the open road!