I'm looking to put in a new header and go with a custom exhaust because my stock one is trashed anyway.

I know I want 2 1/4" pipe and a Flowmast 40 Dyna Flow so I don't rattle my teeth out, but have some good sound.

Should I go Thorley or LC? How much should I expect to pay for the whole thing?

What about a new cat?

 

I don't know the quality but hedman made a header for the 22r (i ordered it but never picked it up other things came up) I think it fits the 22re also. I remember it was supposed to be a plug n' play part with the rest of the stock exhaust system. you could check with them. As I recall it was pretty cheap price wise compared to downey et al. might be worth checking on. as for the cat if you're putting a new one in get a free flow cat it will be a lot better then the stock one. cheers Aviator

 

I've had an LC header on my '85 for about 5 years now. It works well, no leaks, looks just like the day I installed it with the ceramic coating:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri....shtml#Exhaust

Mine was made before they swapped to stainless steel, but even so it has not shown any rust (only rusty part is where I tried to use high-temp paint on the stock block-off plates):

 

I am definitely going LC header and perhaps even their exhaust setup too, since I don't have any spare parts just lying around for such.

I imagine my cat will be clogged as yours was as it looks pretty old, perhaps the original. Where did you pick up that aftermarket one you were talking about (Maremount)? Did it work out okay? How expensive is a new cat?

Most importantly, what did you do about a gasket?

I don't know why I bother asking stuff on YT anymore, I should just email you!!!

 

Got the cat at a local auto parts store (Kragens as I recall). LC hes some decent cats as well, I think their's are welded flange type. The one I got was not welded (i.e. a loose flange) but I ended up welding the flanges to the cat and grinding the flange flat for a better seal. I ended up re-using the stock exhaust gasket, it had the better heat shield around the spark plug wires. I may finally change it out if I work on the engine again.

 

Ive got LC Engineering header on my 88 Runner. It rubs the frame and the cremic coating is poping off at the mounting flange. I just bought a crome Downey header for my 86 pick-up and had no problems so far.

 

this is my downey cermic header. this pic was taken recently and i installed this header 3 years ago..its holdig up awsome, comes with all smog hookups to

 

Holy thread revivals batman. This one never dies.

 

I have had both Downey and LCE and the LCE is a better product, hands down.

I dont beleive in getting either of their exhaust systems. Its much cheaper to have a carsound (magnaflow) cat and muffler of your choice installed, and it fits tighter to the vehicle for more ground clerance.