turboale

Ok, went to drive the truck today and i'm not too happy. It runs like poo for one. It sounds like a cammed v8. Yes, I know thats suppose to be a good thing, but... not when you havn't done anything to make it sound like that. It has a really rough idle and when I was out on the road there was ZERO bottom end. None. It was also a bit louder than I remembered. I looked at the exhaust piping and there was a little flap moving as the rpms went up and down and so that must be the (or part of) the no bottom end and the extra exhaust note. I'm also considering just getting a whole new exhaust put on. The muffler is prolly still wet/full of mud. There was muddy water dripping (very slowly, just an occasional drip) comming out the back. SO! now, my question is, where is the best place to get headers. Should I go TRD or the ones PP sells?

Thanks Guys!

denverbikeguy

How did you pack your muffler with mud?!

If your exhaust was completely blocked and you ran the engine I could see it causing damage, otherwise I have a hard time envisioning the kind of thing you're seeing from a 98. Sounds like you could stand to get the whole exhaust system looked at/replaced, and while you're at it have the exhaust valves checked for burning/warpage.

PY

I'm sold on Downey's. They are pricey, but I've been through many headers on various vehicles since 1980, and Downey's are about the best I've seen, including construction and design. Their catalog has a bit of good info on 'em and some of the method to their madness. My 1980 Toy 20R with 320,000 miles got Downey headers around the 80,000 mark and they haven't cracked, leaked or burned despite very hard running.

zamboni95

Turboale - I'm putting on Downey headers and exhaust in the next two weeks. The contruction on the headers and exhaust look good. I'll post pics and a review as I move forward.

rimpainter.com

I am going with headers too. After some research, and an interesting poll, I will be going with the ceramic Downeys.

You sure this is your problem? Sure sounds fishy to me.

turboale

I'm pretty sure. I wish I had taken a picture... the piping is extremely rusted. For those that havn't been keeping up with my posts. My car was stuck in deep mud (check my site). I'm still in the process of getting it back to the way it was (it seems the guys that have my truck are idiots) they seemed confident that all I would need was a starter motor. I was like... um... NO. I got them to replace all the fluids (in the diffs/tranny etc) then they said that the starter would only work some of the time. Their remedy was ofcourse replace it. Now that I think about it... it prolly just have a bit of corrosion on it and yeah... $240(plus installation) later... I have a new starter motor. The guy was like yeah... "i drove a couple of those V6 engines in like the 92 model and they didn't seem to have any power. If you want to you can drive it and tell me if its not runn'n like it should." Let me just tell you. I could have ran beside the car and kept up. The power steering doens't seem as enthusiastic as it used to either. Still works, and no squeeks, just not as helpful. The exhuast flows... I can hear it fine and there is plenty of air exiting the rear. But there is a definate leak somwhere and the headers are by far the worst looking. (they were fine before the incident as far as I know) What did you all pay for your headers?

Thanks!

ps, any other things I should get checked out etc let me know, b/c I don't have much experience with this as this is my first truck and I used to never have to deal with mud

turboale

PP wants 299 is that the best price? I would be very supprised if it was... Who else carries them? Does mike?

rimpainter.com

Dr. Z found this for me. Another idea.

$299? Dang. That's a great price.

zamboni95

I'll check my Downey catelog when I go home and see how much they show for headers for your make/model.

zamboni95

You might want to consider Edelbrock as well. Can't vouch for quality. Here's a couple of links...

http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=0&1=0&3=5254

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

pfdaxe

I just got the skinny from truckperformance.com

They now only sell the headers for the '96-'98. They stopped selling the '99-'02 headers.

So I called Downey and they sell them for all 3rd gens directly.

For the '99+ in chrome the price is $282. For the ceramic coated they sell them for $318. Didn't ask for the price for the '96-'98 headers. The only thing is that the '96-'98 headers come with the cross-over. The '99+ headers do not. They told me that you would have to have one made.

pfdaxe

Here's Downeys number if anyone want's to find a price for their ride: 562-949-9494

turboale

so wait... What will I have to get made to make these things fit? Is it something an exhaust shop would be able to make? As I said these guys that are workign on the car now have no insight. They know how to do things... you just have to know what to tell them. How much more are the 98s? (Ceramic Coated) I'm getting to the point where I just want my truck back! Thank you pfdaxe for the info/prices!

turboale

Ok, I was about to close the PP page I had open and decided to read the B/S PP writes about how every product they sell is perfect for you. Anyway, at the end it tells you you need the flange, and then it says you need a transfer case cooler?? HU?? is this true or what...? Only with the downeys?

pfdaxe

Turbo:

You didn't read my post correct. The Downeys for your year('96-'98)through www.truckperformance.com come complete with the crossover. The '99+ do not. For some reason, Downey doesn't offer a crossover for the '99+ 4 Runners.

PP prices are for only the chrome headers with no crossover and flange. Their initial price sounds good until you start adding all the extras that you need. I like reading PPs catalog but I never buy from them. If I find something in their catalog that I like, I usually do an on-line search and find it cheaper elsewhere.

My .05

...and I want change

Paul

zamboni95

Started to install Downey headers this afternoon. Everything look great until I managed to break the bolt that attaches the headers to the engine block. The four letter words were echoing in my garage.... It looks like I need to go buy a tap and die. Just a forewarning. If you car is older be careful removing the bolts. I would image that the heat over the years makes the bolts weak.

Wish me luck tomorrow trying to remove the remaining bolt out of the engine block.

va97runner

pfdaxe, I was checking out that link to those headers on truckperformance.com and I'm wondering why there are no applications for 2wd.

Anyone know?

denverbikeguy

Zamboni and others, it's generally a really good idea to use penetrating oil for at least a few days on bolts connecting to the exhaust side of the heads, since they are notorious for rusting on any kind of vehicle. A little penetrating oil beats trying to remove a broken bolt!

*sigh* I wish I could afford headers... Those Downey ceramic coated ones are looking nice, but at over $400 it will be a little while.

zamboni95

I'm learning a lesson the hard way.

Take denverbikeguy's advice, use penetrating oil.

va97runner - The Downey catelog shows the following headers for 95-01 3.4 v-6 Tacoma and 4runner

17410-34A 3.4 v-6 header, auto, chrome $282.17
17410-34AC 3.4 v-6 header, auto, ceramic $318.80
17410-34S 3.4 v-6 Stick (with hose), chrome $302.31
17410-34SC 3.4 v-6 Stick (with hose), ceramic $338.94

Downey Note: These header do not fit vehicles with a body lift kit.
- These headers do fit a 4 runner, but do NOT fit any model with a column shift.

Hope that helps.

turboale

Pfdaxe,
I would expect nothing less from PP.
So direct is definately the way to go, and they come with everything I need. Great, looks like I'll be giving them a call today or tomorrow.

Zamboni,
Sorry to hear your having such trouble getting them off. Mine are so rusted from the water, I'm not even thinking of touching them. Good luck getting them on!