Cutouts Update from Gathering-False Alarm

[WARP TEN]

A number of members expressed interested in duplicating my cutouts setup and I had to tell them that one of the electric motors appeared to have failed so I drove home with one open. Thought it was a failed motor as that did happen once, repaired under warranty. Those interested said they wanted follow up on the diagnosis so here it is: Turned out to be a false alarm. After taking the open one off I bench-tested it and it operated normally. Conclusion: the small power connector plug near one motor must have come apart so one didn't work. Put them back on and connected the plugs and they seem fine now. From now on I will check the plugs first if one stops. If there are any other issues I will post it on the forum, but I still like the set up a lot.--Bob

[C4Ray]

Bob:

I think you have the best Cutout design I ever saw on a C4, and I am surprised more guys have not copied your stealthy setup. Just curious who makes your Cutouts? U.S. made brand or overseas?

[WARP TEN]

Bob:

I think you have the best Cutout design I ever saw on a C4, and I am surprised more guys have not copied your stealthy setup. Just curious who makes your Cutouts? U.S. made brand or overseas?

Hi Ray--
The cutouts are made by Quicktime Performance (QTP) and are sold through Summit Racing among others. Marc generally buys them through Summit. Don't know if some of all of the parts are made in the US. -Bob

[RussMcB]

Pretty cool.

Are they limited to two positions (open or closed)? Or will they allow partially open settings? For instance, can you open them 10%?

[WARP TEN]

Pretty cool.

Are they limited to two positions (open or closed)? Or will they allow partially open settings? For instance, can you open them 10%?

Hi Russ-
The cutouts are infinitely variable. I have a momentary rocker switch hidden under the carpet on the passenger side of the console within easy reach. For the track I have them open, for long trips and coming into my subdivision I have them closed so it is just a stock exhaust. Most of the time I like a little rumble so I run with them about1/4 to 1/3 open. --Bob

[cvette98pacecar]

Bob your QTP cutouts are on the inlet of the mufflers correct?
QTP use to have a programmable proportional control as well as a remote control.

[WARP TEN]

Bob your QTP cutouts are on the inlet of the mufflers correct?
QTP use to have a programmable proportional control as well as a remote control.

Hi Robert--
Yes my cutouts are next to the mufflers on the inlet side. There are a couple of pictures of them in my albums section. I do know that QTP offers a remote control--I believe Dennis F has one. If I did it again I might get one. I had used the approach of a rocker switch under the carpet before, so I went that route. (In the early 70s living in Boston I had a 67 Corvette Coupe with a hidden fuel cutoff rocker switch in the same position under the carpet. One night it was stolen but we found it a couple of blocks away. Cops wouldn't even file a report; they said of the hundreds of Corvettes stolen in Boston each year, mine was the only one that was ever recovered.) --Bob

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Thanks for all the updates and info Bob. I am really considering your setup and going the stealth route. I'm also on the fence with the Corsa system and their black tip option. I made the mistake of not hearing your system in person while at BG a few weeks ago. I'm not sure of the total cost to do the stealthy system you have with labor and parts here in this area.

I have some considerations with showing the car as well as tracking it. Entering the black 95 in a few weeks to a car show in stock class. When they say stock, they mean stock so putting the factory A molds on and I can't even have AM exhaust. Then at Laguna Seca for example you can't run pass the tower at over 90db or they throw you off the track so there goes the Corsa or you have to let off at that area going up the hill. Decisions, decisions.........Thanks again! :cheers:

[RICKYRJ1]

Thanks for all the updates and info Bob. I am really considering your setup and going the stealth route. I'm also on the fence with the Corsa system and their black tip option. I made the mistake of not hearing your system in person while at BG a few weeks ago. I'm not sure of the total cost to do the stealthy system you have with labor and parts here in this area.

I have some considerations with showing the car as well as tracking it. Entering the black 95 in a few weeks to a car show in stock class. When they say stock, they mean stock so putting the factory A molds on and I can't even have AM exhaust. Then at Laguna Seca for example you can't run pass the tower at over 90db or they throw you off the track so there goes the Corsa or you have to let off at that area going up the hill. Decisions, decisions.........Thanks again! :cheers:

Hey Brother Craig, you can still enter the car in the stock class. You are allowed a certain amount of small mods, most shows the number is 4 but i have seen 6. Remember even a floor mat with a ZR-1 is considered a mod not stock. It will only matter if you are tied with another car then the judges will look to see who has less mods. Hope all is well :flag:

[WARP TEN]

Thanks for all the updates and info Bob. I am really considering your setup and going the stealth route. I'm also on the fence with the Corsa system and their black tip option. I made the mistake of not hearing your system in person while at BG a few weeks ago. I'm not sure of the total cost to do the stealthy system you have with labor and parts here in this area.

I have some considerations with showing the car as well as tracking it. Entering the black 95 in a few weeks to a car show in stock class. When they say stock, they mean stock so putting the factory A molds on and I can't even have AM exhaust. Then at Laguna Seca for example you can't run pass the tower at over 90db or they throw you off the track so there goes the Corsa or you have to let off at that area going up the hill. Decisions, decisions.........Thanks again! :cheers:
Hi Craig-
No problem at Laguna Seca with my setup--it is stock sounding when closed (although maybe a little bit louder with SW headers and no cats, but not 90 db at a distance). If you are at a track that doesn't impose sound restrictions, like NCM, you can open up the cutouts. It is also stock looking unless the judges get under the car and see the cutouts ahead of the mufflers. I always enter my car in stock classes at local shows and still get trophies. No one has noticed the missing secondary pump and tank or the coolant bypass in the engine compartment or the cutouts. If they complain they don't have to judge me. Of course if you already have an aftermarket system and don't have the stock one, you will need to get a stock 95 system which can be hard to find. Anyway it is a fun setup that gives me control on sound. --Bob

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hey Brother Craig, you can still enter the car in the stock class. You are allowed a certain amount of small mods, most shows the number is 4 but i have seen 6. Remember even a floor mat with a ZR-1 is considered a mod not stock. It will only matter if you are tied with another car then the judges will look to see who has less mods. Hope all is well :flag:

Hey Ricky,

Thanks for your thoughts. With the rules for WSCC car shows, stock can't even have different exhaust tips than comes from the factory. If you have a bra on the front the car is no longer stock. It mentions that license plates frames are okay and do not disqualify as stock. I just finished reading the rule book and it does not sounds like fun to me. I also don't know that I can keep this car stock as much as I thought I would. If I get rid of the 90 then all bets are off and this car will be modified, up to the extent of passing SMOG anyways. For this event I will enter as stock. I really want to put on the BFR rockers (aka 49th Street) anyway so screw stock after this. This is not a show or "10" car so what the heck. I have a lot of cleaning up to do since I beat it down at Laguna Seca last Friday. Take care there my mod brother.
:cheers:

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hi Craig-
No problem at Laguna Seca with my setup--it is stock sounding when closed (although maybe a little bit louder with SW headers and no cats, but not 90 db at a distance). If you are at a track that doesn't impose sound restrictions, like NCM, you can open up the cutouts. It is also stock looking unless the judges get under the car and see the cutouts ahead of the mufflers. I always enter my car in stock classes at local shows and still get trophies. No one has noticed the missing secondary pump and tank or the coolant bypass in the engine compartment or the cutouts. If they complain they don't have to judge me. Of course if you already have an aftermarket system and don't have the stock one, you will need to get a stock 95 system which can be hard to find. Anyway it is a fun setup that gives me control on sound. --Bob

Hello Bob,

I hope you change you mind about selling your Polo; it is such an awesome car and you put so much time and energy to make it right. But I understand and who ever buys it will score a gem. I think it is very cool with the QTP cutouts. My car is still all stock so I have the original exhaust. I'll take my time to make a decision and try to price doing the QTP system in the meanwhile. Thanks for your thoughts and take care. :handshak:

[RICKYRJ1]

Hey Ricky,

Thanks for your thoughts. With the rules for WSCC car shows, stock can't even have different exhaust tips than comes from the factory. If you have a bra on the front the car is no longer stock. It mentions that license plates frames are okay and do not disqualify as stock. I just finished reading the rule book and it does not sounds like fun to me. I also don't know that I can keep this car stock as much as I thought I would. If I get rid of the 90 then all bets are off and this car will be modified, up to the extent of passing SMOG anyways. For this event I will enter as stock. I really want to put on the BFR rockers (aka 49th Street) anyway so screw stock after this. This is not a show or "10" car so what the heck. I have a lot of cleaning up to do since I beat it down at Laguna Seca last Friday. Take care there my mod brother.
:cheers:

What does WSCC stand for? Your going against your DNA keeping anything stock, lol. I did stock class a few times but soon blew past that door. The most satisfying thing I did to my car was getting the paint correct. Nothing better than a perfect black car. Once you get it to the point of a deep black mirror it is easy to maintain.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

What does WSCC stand for? Your going against your DNA keeping anything stock, lol. I did stock class a few times but soon blew past that door. The most satisfying thing I did to my car was getting the paint correct. Nothing better than a perfect black car. Once you get it to the point of a deep black mirror it is easy to maintain.

Hey Ricky,

WSCC is Western States Corvette Council and I had no idea they existed until entering this car show.

http://www.wscc.ws/Documents.aspx

You're absolutely right and probably my first and last time as stock based on their rules. I suppose if I had a Bugatti Veyron it could be left stock. I do need to do paint correction on this black car. I'll try my best for now with Griot's kit or something, but really do want this black to show nicely regardless as it shows "EVERYTHING". Thanks for your thoughts.

[WARP TEN]

Hello Bob,

I hope you change you mind about selling your Polo; it is such an awesome car and you put so much time and energy to make it right. But I understand and who ever buys it will score a gem. I think it is very cool with the QTP cutouts. My car is still all stock so I have the original exhaust. I'll take my time to make a decision and try to price doing the QTP system in the meanwhile. Thanks for your thoughts and take care. :handshak:

Thanks for the kind thoughts Craig--It is an awesome car so we'll see if someone "scores a gem" or I just keep polishing it. :-D Other than Bowling Green I have hardly been able to drive it--or have it out with a for sale sign on it-- due to lousy weather. Just took it off the lift yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks. We're due for a couple of sunny days so I will play.--Bob