Hello YT,

After some extensive research, im feeling empty handed regarding which headers are the best for the 3.4L. OBX headers are a PITA to install because of the gaskets, TRD's too expensive for what it does, URD's also too expensive, and Downey (favorite) is out of business.... So now Im toast! Any advice?

 

Don't bother. Keep the stock manifolds as they already produce good flow. less headaches.

 

Mak's right. Their a pain to install, and don't net very many gain's. I installed a set of the downey's on my old 3.0, and ill NEVER do that again if i can avoid it. Took too long, hurt alot, and was basically a waste in gains, unless you count the fact that I had an exhaust manifold leaking a "Gain" that i got from putting the headers on. If your dead set, no one on here is gonna stop ya. Here's some reading you might wanna do though. Gadget know's his stuff:

http://www.gadgetonline.com/Exhaust.htm

And if you do decide to throw some header's on, take some pic's and tell us how it goes. Good luck

 

Well, I did forgot to say I plan on adding a TRD S/C.... Will the manifold still work ok?

 

Yes. the TRD S/C came factory on a few select tacomas/4Runners. I'd recommend doing the URD fuel upgrade though.

 

X2! It's night and day with and without the added fuel. The two most memorable truck's I've dealt with regaurding the S/C were very interesting. A good friend of mine did EVERYTHING he could to get more power out of his '95 tacoma. He went as far as having a custom ground 1.8 inch pulley made for the s/c. even with this, an exhaust, intake, electric fan, and water meth, he was never able to break a 16.2 quarter mile. On the other side, a customer I did some work for only had the s/c and a URD 7th injector kit. The difference between his and my friend's was his was an automatic, and my friends was a manual. The automatic would run circles around my friends manual. The 7th injector made all the difference. Definitely add more fuel to that thing if your gonna supercharge it.

 

Wow. I find it hard to believe the stock manifold will work just as good as headers with the SC!

 

on a s/c id go headers and a 2-1/2'' exhaust

 

Lets put it this way, after doing the SC and fuel mods you'll be happy and won't care about a tiny extra HP gain for a lot of work. It's much easier to add more boost with a smaller pulley.

 

Listen to mt goat, he has a 3.4 v6 with a 2.1" pulley and the fuel mods. honestly, you wont wanna touch your engine after that. if you want more power, just do gears. Headers would be a waste of cash for the results.

 

Headers are a great way to open up the s/c. Aside from some bloody knuckles and 12 hours of my life that I'll never get back, they're a great compliment to the TRD setup just as the fuel upgrades are. And the sound...oh yeah

 

Ok, so I wouldnt be guessing too far from reality when I say some of you might want to chop my head when I say that the headers are for a 3.4 SWAP and that I just realize that I posted it in the wrong section? I dont think any set of headers will work there...

 

....am i right?

 

pretty much true... headers will not just ... bolt on. You will have clearance issues on the pass side because of the clutch slave cylinder and shift fork.

 

I'd say do headers if the motor is out of the truck. but its too much of a pain when its already installed

 

it's not a matter of putting them on the motor Mak, it's getting them to clear everything properly in the engine bay.

you can put em on with the motor sittin in front of the truck, then put the motor into the engine bay...and it's still gonna hit in the same places.

 

Get the doug thorly headers, i have them and they are great. They do add some nice power, i made the same power on the stock pulley most make on the 2.2".

Headers also reduce backpressure and allow for more boost and more timing without knock. also keeps combustion temps lower.

They ARE a PITA to install though, no question there but they do give some nice gains for the effort. You will need every 14mm socket you can get your hands on thats for sure.

Lets just say that i do not regret getting my headers now that the install is behind me.

 

In what engine do you have them? A 3.4 swap?

 

Swap? No 3rd gens came with them stock.

Yes a 3.4 in my 2000 4runner.

I assume you have a 2nd gen since you are talking about a swap? not sure about fitment in that case.

 

x2 on stock manifolds, they work extremely well, yes with a SC.