I wouldn't reccomend doing the cut-outs. It will most likely be more trouble then it's worth, and you won't see any performance gain over a good 2 1/2 full exhaust system. Spend the extra money on a good quality exhaust system. You get what you pay for, don't buy something thats not going to fit right or something thats going to rust after 1 week. There are lots of different choices out there. I personally have ceramic-coated BBK longtube headers, a BBK shorty X-Pipe, and 2 1/2 Flowmaster cat-back system. Longtubes are more expensive and harder to install, but they generally make more HP and torque. Then there are shorty headers, but there are different kinds, equal length and un-equal length, and they all have their pros and cons. Do you have emissions inspections requiring catalytic converters? If so, get a good high-flow cat 2 1/2 inch H or X-pipe. H-pipes with cats don't sound as good in my opinion, and are a lot quieter. Or you can buy the off-road H or X-pipe (no cats) and just put your stock h-pipe back on when emissions time comes around. Mufflers are personal preference, I like my flowmasters, and I've had the same set for 7 or 8 years now.
