2022 FAQs about Exhaust Cutouts

Exhaust cutouts are ideal for those who want to win on Sunday and go to work on Monday with the same car. You shouldn’t be surprised to know that the exhaust cutout is nothing new. They have been around for quite some time and were often referred to and are still known as an exhaust dump. In the past, having an exhaust cutout meant getting under the car and removing the block-off plates manually to unleash the fury. Oh, how times have changed. Today, you can get easy to install electric exhaust cutouts and have your engine come to life at the touch of a button. No more getting dirty or running the chance of burning yourself on a hot exhaust system. SPELAB has a variety of exhaust cutouts in both manual and electric ranging from traditional 2.0-inch exhaust cutouts going all the way up to 4.0-inch exhaust cutouts, which is ideal for high horsepower applications. Best of all, at the flip of a switch, you can put your car back in “stealth mode” and casually go on about your day if you use electric exhaust cutouts.

1. What are Exhaust Cutouts?

An exhaust cutout is a simple device. It is essentially a controllable valve, often installed with a Y-pipe, that gets placed in your exhaust system. The mounting location is typically before the mufflers and other restrictive elements that may hinder performance and sound. The result is a free-flowing open exhaust, which in turn increases power.

2. Do exhaust cutouts increase horsepower?

Yes. Simply put, an engine is an air pump. Any restrictions on the exhaust side are going to affect overall performance. By routing the exhaust to exit at the rear of the vehicle, the gasses no longer have the most efficient way to escape.

Add to that a muffler, resonator, and catalytic converters, and the engine is no longer able to provide you with peak performance. On the road, where noise and pollution are a major concern, an exhaust system is justifiable. But, by adding an exhaust dump valve, you can easily bypass that and instantly get maximum horsepower. It is an ideal setup for those that take their vehicle on the track, but do not want to wake up the neighbors every time they start up the engine.

3.Are exhaust cutouts legal?

According to many state laws, an exhaust cutout valve is not street legal. Exhaust cutouts are not intended to be used on public roads. On private property, however, you are free to do what you want.

Nonetheless, it is a good alternative for those who do not want to be loud and obnoxious all the time. If you ask us, an electric exhaust cutout valve is the best compromise. When you want to hear your engine, all you have to do is press a button.

To sum it up, it does not matter if you have manual or electric exhaust cutouts, they are still not allowed on the public streets of many states. Luckily, it is a mod that most law enforcement officers do not enforce unless you give them a good reason to.

4.Are exhaust cutouts worth it?

In our opinion, yes. They are one of the best and most cost-effective ways to increase your car's sound without major modifications. While a complete exhaust system is recommended if your car has the same one it left the factory with, you can get away with just adding an exhaust cutout.

A car's stock exhaust, especially on older vehicles, can be quite restrictive. A complete exhaust system with a larger diameter will help your car breathe that much easier and acts as a great starting point for other power-adding mods. The exhaust cutouts are just the icing on the cake.

5.Are exhaust cutouts bad for your car?

Exhaust cutouts are not bad for your car. On the contrary, they are an inexpensive way to increase the sound of your exhaust. Without having to shell out all the money for a full system.

Electric exhaust cutouts give you the sound of an open header, without having to do it permanently. That is one of the main reasons that make people want an exhaust cutout.

6.Do exhaust cutouts sound good?

Ask anyone who has electric, or even manual exhaust cutouts, and they will tell you that opening that butterfly valve makes their car sound amazing. Most engines, stock or not, will have a great sounding note when there are no mufflers to restrict the sound. But like with anything, there are restrictions to this rule.

For example, there is no doubt that even 2.25-inch exhaust cutouts will increase the sound of your car’s engine, but will it sound good? That will be down to the way your engine was built. It is universally accepted that V8s are some of the best-sounding engines ever, so why not increase that sound with an electric exhaust cutout?

Of course, sound is subjective. No one ever says their baby is ugly. The same goes for your car. Chances are that you will not think your engine sounds bad, but some engines will not sound acceptable with an open exhaust. Your only way to know for sure is to listen to someone with a similar vehicle with exhaust cutouts already in place or install a set of exhaust dumps on your ride and hear for yourself.