Which would you choose for the best performance gains: An LCE Header or LCE camshaft? (This is for my 22RE) I'm leaning towards the cam mainly because the header is about $100 more. Thanks for any help.

 

both is the best answer, but a header is an easier bolt-on modification. with the cam it's a good idea to redo the head gasket as you have to take all the head bolts out to remove the cam

 

PM
Seaflea or Mikeys87, they will have some insight on bringing that thing back to life! (ps Mikeys87 is the guys house that we are going to be wrenching at this weekend)

 

If I do go with the headers will I have to replace the gasket?

 

Yes, the gasket will need to be replaced, but that's uber cheap in comparison to the header itself. As far as ease of installation the header wins out big time....if they both give you about the same horsepower gain do the header. I just put an new head gasket on my 22re and there are lots of things that have to come out/off to get where you're goin on that one.

 

If you get the headers i have a Downey hi-pro mid range cam that you can buy from me has about 5k miles on it but in still good shape. When i had my head redone with o/s valves i just had engnbldr put theirs in. Let me know if that would intrest you.
Brandi

 

If you upgrade the exhaust (from the header back) after you install the header, then that will give you a much more "noticeable" difference in performance than just a simple cam swap.

IMO, it's best to always do the exhaust mods first. Most hotrodders/gearheads say this. When you do the exhaust first, everything you do after that like intake/cam etc will be much more effective.

You really can't expect a higher-lift cam to work properly on an engine if you have the stock exhaust/manifolds choking it up.

If you get the header, be sure to replace the stock manifold nuts with aftermarket stage 8 nuts/lockwashers. You may have problems with header leaks if you reuse the stock manifold nuts. The factory manifold nuts are self-locking which means they're basically a "one time use" deal. The local Toyota dealer told me this after I asked them why my header kept leaking after a few months.

 

Thanks for all the replies and the note about replacing the nuts. I'll probably get a high flow cat while I'm at it. With that my intake and exhuast will be complete!

 

Hmmmmm. u need to do the header first. exhaust also. and air filter before a high end cam. just would help the cam do its job better. to make it go in better and faster.. u also have to be able to get it out the same

 

I've done the intake and muffler. Just have to install a header and cat.