Now dont start flaming me right away, i want to do this with a cutout directly after QTP HVMC then Y pipe and 3.0 Y pipe to a 3" cutout with a stock exhaust ( i really like the stock sound for when im on the freeway but i have an elec cutout for when i need the power
1. would this make the same power as if i had a good catback behind the headers and ORY?
Using the stock catback will definately help in keeping the sound level down, it'll restrict the flow, but with the cutout open you'll get the full effect of the LTs and Y
For the sound, probably a liitle louder than a stock setup, but not crazy loud
It depends some headers people claim have actually made there car quieter but generally they don't.
If your going to use a cut out then you might as well just keep the stock exhaust but it wont flow as good as most aftermarket.
As far as the loudness with the cut out open it will make it MUCH louder. I had the same set up with my LT1 that i sold but with magnaflow exhaust and you couldnt hear shit when you got on it as compared to with it capped.
i have that exact setup. Pacestter Longtubes, pacesetter ory, qtp electric cutout, and stock catback. it's pretty quiet with the cutout closed, a little louder than stock but not that bad. but my cutout stays open most of the time
yeah my cutout is after the y pipe. it tucks up right under the passenger seat, there is a spot under the car that looks like it was made for a cutout.
anyone got a sound clip of long tubes w/ ORY and stock catback? couldnt find one on LS1sounds... id like to hear it w/o the cutout though...
I've had the setup before as well, but without the qtec. As far as I was concerned it was just as quiet accelerating around town and on the freeway except with a slight hint of a more throaty/raspy sound with the cats gone. Still sounded pretty damn oem to me though, no one would of known there was LTs on it that's for sure. It will slow you down some if you try to race with the cutout capped. Your exhaust stroke wouldn't like your stock catback pushing back on the gases.
I have the exact same set up you are thinking about getting with the 3in cutout and all. I drive with the cutout open all the time! The only time I really cap it is when I'm going on a long freeway trip and have to have the windows up. With the cutout caped I swear this thing is like dead silent! It is just barely louder than stock. I'm buying a Hooker catback tomorrow tho. Only reason I'm switching is for the quality of the sound(cutout is loud and all but it doesn't really sound great and can get annoying) and the tips. But I will keep the cutout and add an electric plate to it.
Headers+ORY+Stock catback? 
