Electric exhaust cutouts

[ZAPPER68]

I have recently purchased a 55 Chevy Gasser. It has a BBC and fenderwell headers... the car requires an exhaust system to be streetable.

I was thinking about installing electric exhaust cutouts and was wondering if anyone has suggestions, good or bad regarding them? Can I install them directly on the collector flange or do they need to be further 'down stream' so to speak?

Thanks in advance.

[re-animator]

A friend has one from Doug's on his late model. He says it works very well, has 2 seasons on it without leaks.

[hellcat666]

i have a few applications i was thinking of using them on but never had any experience with them eaither. anyone else have anything on them? curious to hear if they are worth useing or not.

[1971BB427]

You can install them directly on the header collector, but that would mean your exhaust would be closed when they are closed, so your engine wont run! Most guys run a "Y" pipe after the collector so they can divert exhaust when the cutout is open, but when closed it runs through the exhaust system. You can also modify your collector by routing the exhaust system out the side of the collector if there's room, then put the cutout directly on the collector. I don't have electrics, but that's what I did on my headers.

[Mr48chev]

The work good but may not be legal as far as some states vehicle codes read.
If you plan to live in Washington state this might interest you.

RCW 46.37.390 Mufflers required — Smoke and air contaminant standards — Definitions — Penalty, exception.

(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

Of course they have to catch you in the act of having them open.

[35ChevSedan]

I've got Quicktime electric cut outs on my '35. The header goes right to them and then a Y goes to the rear exhaust with Flowmasters. Its like having a volume knob on your exhaust, which has all kinds of advantages. And why the toggle switch is readily available so I can close them quickly when needed (cuz I do live in Washington! : )

[mgtstumpy]

Here are Doug's electric exhaust cutouts, they feature a rotary valve not a butterfly valve. http://www.pertronix.com/prod/new/details.aspx?ID=137

This is nice installation with X-pipe

[desotot]

Originally Posted by mgtstumpy

Here are Doug's electric exhaust cutouts, they feature a rotary valve not a butterfly valve. http://www.pertronix.com/prod/new/details.aspx?ID=137

This is nice installation with X-pipe

I wonder what the aproximate cost of these units are?

[mgtstumpy]

$435 per pair (2.5") I've seen others with butterflies for $270 per pair, so not cheap by comparison http://www.shopatron.com/home/search...cutout&x=0&y=0

[SAM123]

Originally Posted by Mr48chev

The work good but may not be legal as far as some states vehicle codes read.
If you plan to live in Washington state this might interest you.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.

Of course they have to catch you in the act of having them open.

The way I interpet that a person would not be using the cutout if it was not in the bypass postition... ie if it was engaged in the bypass position then it would be illegal !

To have one installed and using it are two different animals (I know "tell it too the judge!" LOL)

Sounds like a poorly written law.

[ZAPPER68]

Originally Posted by mgtstumpy

Here are Doug's electric exhaust cutouts, they feature a rotary valve not a butterfly valve. http://www.pertronix.com/prod/new/details.aspx?ID=137

This is nice installation with X-pipe

Thanks for the responses...nice installation there stumpy.