White4Runner

Hello, gang.

I'm curious about getting a set of headers for my ol' 3.0 not only to give me a little more oomph but to give me some head gasket longevity. Does swapping to headers really help with the blown gaskets or is that just more marketing hype?

TIA and have a good weekend.

drmix

Ive heard that it helps keep heat away from the back of the motor where the head gasket usually blows first. I think the biggest thing they do is ditch the crossover pipe. A little pricey for me though plus I heard they are pretty hard to install.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

If they don't help with the head gasket, they save you from burnt valves.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

Toyotas design of dumping exhaust back into the left bank, then out the down pipe is a terrible design.

Coincidence the left rear cylinder always burns a valve/blows the gasket? I think not

92Yoda

/information banked.

White4Runner

Headers are certainly expensive but, in my mind, that cost would be offset by the benefit of reducing the heat trapped at the back of the block. If the money spent on exhaust helps reduce the chances of a burnt valve or blown head gasket; all the better!

The down side, from what I've read, is floor board heat. Is that the case with all brands? Does ceramic coating help with this?

So which brand to get?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Anything but Doug Thorley and I think you are wasting your money.

:wabbit2:

MaK92-4RnR

I blew a headgasket on my 3.0 even with headers at 153k, and it still happened in the same area. I had headers on for nearly 40k miles. If you plan to fork out the 6-800 dollars in doug thorley headers like I did, put it towards a 3.4.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

:wabbit2:

sharpy46

i have the thorley haeders and flowmaster muffler. sounds good thats about it lol

White4Runner

Are these Thorley headers or "Brand X?"

drmix

I believe they are brand x. I checked out the auction and he said he doesnt know what brand they are but if I remember correctly the doug thorleys have the doug thorley logo right on them.

White4Runner

The seller says he's had them in his garage for awhile and forgot where he bought them. He says he was going to install them on a '95 but the rig got wrecked before he got around to the install.

BlackNite3

I don't think those fit a 3.0. The flange looks wrong. The bolts for the 3.0 are directly centered top and bottom with the exhaust port. Probably a later engine (3.4 maybe?).

White4Runner

I guess it doesn't matter now since the auction has ended.

I'm still interested in learning more about headers from an engine durability standpoint. An MLS head gasket, ARP head studs and headers would be the best combination of longevity, performance and mileage?