electric cutout install and sound improvment
 

Hey guys, I'd like to ask anyone with some experience in this to chime in.

I want to put a QTP electric exhaust cutout valve on my pipes. But, and let me make this clear right now, this is NOT for power gains. This will be going on after the cat, probably between the cat and the flange that hooks up to the trailing section of the pipes. I want an option for noise or lack thereof, that's it. I'll also probably be getting the controller that lets you change the opening of the valve so it's not just an on/off switch.

So that stated, what would be the best way of making the sound that comes out of the valve sound as good as possible? I want to unlock the bass that the stock exhaust completely muffles, yet keep it from sounding raspy.

Some friends in the local car club have said to put a glass pack trailing the valve, does this sound good and do you have any other suggestions?

well, as one of the very few who have actually tried a cut out (and dynoed with 10 hp gain), I can tell you this much.
It will be very loud and very raspy. The only way for you to "tame" the sound will be to open the valve partially or half open.
The only time I used it were out in the track and occassionally on the streets.
It is rather a "fun" mod to have. I know so.

If you are interested, i have an entire thread for it
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/different-kind-exhaust-modification-164090/

as well as a FS thread. I am selling my old one, so if you want a cut out and save some money, you can buy mine.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/fs-exhaust-cutout-10hp-171474/

i'll gladly answer any other questions you may have.

just be careful where you aim it.

as for taming the noise, a rotary is unique sounding it will never sound crackly like the ricer civic exhausts since i have a feeling that is what you are afraid of sounding like. nothing sounds better then a rotary exhaust, to me, well except a turbo rotary which definitely sounds best lol. Subie's are an original sound that i thinks cool cause it's somewhat uncommon. Anyway it will be *loud* tho, rotaries have very strong exhaust pulses.

kevin.

does anyone have a video or sound clip i was thinking of getting one of these too from summitracing.com but would like to hear it first

but would like to hear it first

Sorry, but if you hear one, you won't buy one.....

if its that bad i dont want one haha

If you want to hear what it sounds like, jack up and get under your car, loosen the bolts at the catback flange and pry the two flanges apart with the back of a wrench, then start up your car.

It's a very deep rumbling sound at idle, and you'll actually be able to hear your backfires on the overrun. This is NOT a sound you want to deal with all day, I'm doing this just for fun which is why I'm going for a cutout over a proper exhaust, I don't want the car to be louder than stock on a daily basis because I do a lot of highway driving.


But again the question remains, what can I do to "tune" the sound of the exhaust to something more agreeable?

Well, as a suggestion why don't you look at the main muffler if you want to play with exhaust sounds. Not a fan of cutting far up the exhaust and putting "toys" there to change the sound, start at the rear end.

IMO anything up the front would be unbearable to "live" with.