Ok.

87 4runner 22re 4x4 5spd

I have an exhaust leak at the manifold, some stud holes were stripped out by P.O.
I live in Travis county, Austin TX where they do california-esque emissions so I cannot get an inspection sticker in this county.

We could just run over to my buddies dads in a local nearby county that doesn't run testing like that and we can get an inspection on safety alone.

Is a slight exhaust manifold leak something devastating to performance/longevity or is it just a matter of issue with the emissions standards?

I do not want to have to pull the head to redrill and tap new stud holes so if I can just get a sticker elsewhere and not worry about a leak for now, I would prefer. Whatcha think guys?

 

Bizzump

 

Kind of up to you which to do.
Personally, I'd drill and helicoil the holes and install new studs. You can do that without pulling the head, but it can be difficult to get to cylinders 3 & 4. Just stuff some paper towels into the exhaust port before drilling so the shavings don't risk falling into the cylinders. My reasoning for this is because exhaust leaks could let air into the exhaust and that can affect the O2 sensor's feedback and change the air/fuel mixture.

 

I'm in Houston, and I may be dumb here, but I don't see what an exhaust leak, up in the engine area, has to do with a inspection pass. I don't think they check anything in the engine compartment here, just hook up the crap to your tail pipe, and testing begins.

Also, in 2 more years, here in Texas, if your vehicle is 25 years old, you do not have to pass emissions tests anymore...

 

Air drawn into the exhaust by an exhaust leak can cause the O2 to read an artificial lean condition and consequently cause the ECU to enrich the fuel mixture resulting in excessive HC and CO emissions.

 

WOW! you are good, because you just blew my mind!! that would be
so totally possible to happen, I never would've thought of that.