Exhaust cut-outs?

[donkmeister]

I've got a 2004 Mercedes E500. After the original exhaust hangers corroded and snapped, I had a custom stainless cat-back system installed, the centre-box replaced with an x-pipe, and I get a nice V8 rumble/woofle.

It's a bit quiet though. I have two choices:
1) Get the exhaust fabricators to replace the rear cans with something less restrictive
2) Have a pair of electric cut-outs installed (one for each side)

If I go the cut-out route, will I lose the bassy tonal qualities? It's hard to get a feel for the sound from YouTube videos!

Also, would the massive reduction in back pressure after installing cut-outs cause any problems?

[stevieturbo]

Exhaust cutouts generally just sound like a broken exhaust or a huge exhaust leak....which makes sense because that's what it is.

If there are some silencers before the cutouts then it shouldnt be so bad

Best option would be to get a new pair of rear silencers

[GreenV8S]

donkmeister said:

would the massive reduction in back pressure after installing cut-outs cause any problems?

There shouldn't be a massive reduction, unless there's something wrong with the backbox. There might be some effect on the pulse tuning characteristics, but very little of that should reach past the cat.

[donkmeister]

Thanks guys, sounds like new cans are the answer then.

[powerstroke]

donkmeister said:

Thanks guys, sounds like new cans are the answer then.

Yes but not straight through that will give you that horrid rasp , if you want a burble the american turbo mufflers are great ...

[melhookv12]

These.....???!!!! 😀😉

[irocfan]

take the silencers off - run it around for 5 minutes and see if you like the sound and bingo, you'll have your answer

[exitwound]

Problem with dual pipes coming out each side (seen this done with cut-outs) is that they're fine for the bystanders, but for the driver, listening to one half of the V8 beat, its a very unpleasant sound compared to how it sounds when they're heard together.

Best to go for a full length decent performance system (..not a fart can or two) which will enhance the car and no doubt sound awesome.

My Corvette runs a dual 60mm system end to end, with no boxes or cats. MOT's ok, and the sound is easy to live with, no drone or resonance even at smooth driving motorway speeds sans roof, but will waken the dead when I tach it up under bridges or tunnels etc. Got a nice deep burble at idle too..

Actually won a best exhaust sound contest at a local car show beating a new 6.3Gullwing MB (using cutouts) into the bargain at the public vote..

Edited by exitwound on Friday 11th November 12:24