LCE Header and AFE Drop In Filter = Awesome Drivability Upgrade

Here is an update on my Doug Thorley Header I had installed on my 4 cylinder. After the install I notice a much louder sound when accelerating. Just thought it was my Cherry Bomb Vortex muffler I installed 14 months prior, along with the new aftermarket header. So I replace it back with a stock aftermarket walker muffler. No differance installed a exhaust tip resistor. Then went to another muffler shop, told of what I've done. He found an exhaust leak at the flange. At the time I installed it I notice it really didn't line up and assume torquing it down would correct the alignment and the gasket would make up the difference, well it didn't! So to correct it he welded the exhaust pipe directly to the header flange. Problem solved! Went online and found someone else had same problem 6 years ago! E-mailed Dough Thorley they inform me to mail it back, I inform them after spending a considerable amount of my time and an extra $350 it's now welded in place to go f___ themselves. Love the performance, but it was a total headache resolving the problem.

 

Another update 2/2/2016 after my offer of dropping it off to a garage of their choice and doing replacement/ labor/shipment at their cost. They inform me I had voided the warranty, in welding/altering their header!

 

Wow, that's some crap.

Still recommend it, or is this changing your mind?

 

Not sure, kind like my first time with my girlfriend and her vibrator? I'm still numb!

 

The more I think about this and the pictures of the issue of the flange not lining up and my expensive guesstimate of fixing it $350. There was no real apology, no I wouldn't recommend them. If I had known of this happening and there's no way of knowing until you actually install it, that for sure it'll fit. I would recommend purchasing the header from someone else like ICE. I'm digging into these sites and it really doesn't sound good read thread #13. He had the same problem I went through! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/doug-thorley-problems.227638/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBejOaov8I

 

You're offering excellent advice.
The stock intake and air filter and provide plenty of flow at low rpms, and the long stock tubing enhances low end torque. Also a too large diameter exhaust pipe swaps low end torque for top end horsepower, but since the 2tr has no top end it's a waste of time.

 

The gf almost early birthday'd me with the lce header.

 

You have taught me well, Sensai. The teachings you bestowed upon me have lead one down a path of long-ed tubes and to a lowered torque curve. Thine mandrels were an aspiration, now mine too do purr at a lesser diameter (2"!) Each generation improves upon the workings of the last..

 

I ran an LCE long tube header on my old '96 Taco. It installed flawlessly and performed great. This is what it looked like after ten years...


I run an LCE folded long tube header on my 2012...



I am so totally sold on LCE headers. Their designs are well thought out, the fit and finish are first rate, and they do exactly what they claim.

 

Matt, glad to see another Vermonter on here! I just want to say thanks for the post. I've been on the fence about getting the LCE header and I think you just made my mind up for me. I've already installed the aFe dry filter, so I guess the header is next. Quick question though... did you have to buy new studs for the part that attaches to the header, or were you able to pull them out of the OEM header? TIA!

 

Suggest using some rust inhibitor. I had reused all bolts, studs, nuts, and gaskets with the exception of the header gasket that goes to the cylinder head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qYKMtb3Jpo

 

LCE will send new hardware for something like $12 extra.. don't see any reason not to go that route

 

That's a good price the header/cylinder gasket ran me $12, the flange donut would have cost me another $15. Not counting two new studs with two nuts $4. Lastly the two gaskets for air control port valves $?. What's funny is all 3 are made of a thin medal with the exception of the flange donut gasket.

 

LCE includes the manifold gasket and donut with the header. If you fork over another $12 (IIRC) you get the 2 exhaust bolts as well as new manifold studs and nuts.

 

Greg!!!!!!! where you been man? happy to see you posting again. hope all is well.

I agree with tooter 100%... he knows his shit!

The LCE folded long tube header is a much better design for our 2TR motor than the Dough Thorley.. better mergers, bigger primary tubbing, bigger collector and............

Better design in every way.

And the "shiny" finish on the DT header doesn't mean shit. I speak the truth.. learn from me

 

Long tube header as I understand is better torque on the high RPMs'. Versises short Tri-Y header that gets better Torque low and mid range RPMs'. Doug Thorley Header I had purchased, the flange was way off! Their customer service sucked!

 

The opposite, in fact, is true:

I found some of his dyno stuff, there's more but I was too lazy to nab it all...

 

http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/long-tube-vs-short-tube-headers
Short or Long Tube Headers?
When you sit and idle your engine you can literally feel the rhythm or beat of the pistons firing—especially if you're in a ride with a good-sized power plant. Step on the gas, and the rhythm gets faster. But we don’t expect you to spend all day in the driveway. So, when you’re done listening to your engine purr and finally hit the road, make sure it’s with the right headers for the job.



For a variety of reasons that involve physics, it turns out that long tube headers do the best job building horsepower and torque from mid-to-high RPMs. These are great for high-revving machines and track terrors, but they do sacrifice some of the low-RPM power that most drivers depend on.



On the other side of the coin, shorty headers deliver more power horsepower and torque from idle to the mid-RPM range. This makes shorty headers perfect for your daily commute or hauling your boat up a hill. We'll also note that sometimes short tubes can be easier to install. Check out some exhaust header reviews to get the inside scoop on installation.

 

As much as I respect your ability to copy and paste text from autoanything.com, I'm afraid that dyno results trump any article. Even if said article was written by Andrew Bernhardt, despite his belief that the Honda Element is the greatest utilitarian vehicle of all time.

 

Here I copy & paste another different article of a different person same subject. Watch it 2 minutes into it, and yes I do like the Honda Element, but the Ford C-max is looking better every day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI0hT8Hw1T0