2.7 header decisions

Just a side note, you can reuse the Remflex stuff, even though they say not to (you know the reason,,,$$$). I have remashed and reused several sets of those, and still no leaks. Some were crushed absolutely flat, gunked with oil and crap, and still sealed.

Now if you pull, tear, and destroy the thing coming apart, it probably wont seal again.

Yup, thick graphite has been around a long time, These guys are cutting specifics to fit different things basically.

 

Does anyone have a good link to pictures or a video that could help with new header and exhaust install on the 2.7L 3RZ-FE? I have looked around on TW and I cannot find anything yet...

 

It's a pretty straightforward swap. We can walk you through it if you can't find a video.

If you try to tackle this yourself, I'd suggest getting a set of those Torx sockets to be able to remove the header studs.

 

Well convinced I am. Here it is. We shall see the improvement. Unfortunately I don't have access to a dyno to "prove" the gains I may experience. I am sure it will be much better because I have certainly felt a loss in power over the last couple years and the only noticeable issue is a cracked manifold. Sounds and details of experience to come. If you have any installation tips, let me know.

 

As far as advice goes I can't say too much on the subject. But I do know that spraying the rubber exhaust hangers with silicone spray makes them easier to manipulate on and off of things. Also I wouldn't waste too much time with the old CAT bolts, chances are they are seized and you'll have to bust out the grinder.

 

10:4, I am a little worried that I am going to snap a bolt or a header bolt on the block. I've been PB blasting for a few weeks now. I am going to try tightening, spray, loosening, spray, let it sit for a day or two...repeat throughout the week.

As for the rubber mounts...What type of silicone spray, just any generic kind? Any other lubricant to get them to flex?

 

Rap/dink on the very ends of those studs with a hammer. Don't hit real hard, just enough to set up vibrations and free up the possible dissimilar metal corrosion between a steel stud and aluminum threaded head. Again, don't swing for the fence and lay over the E-torx head splines(to bad) or muck up the internal threads,,just rap or bang on the very end of those for a bit each day until you decide to tackle the job. A rubber coated or shot filled soft hammer is not enough,,,you need to "twang" the metals with each metal-on-metal rap. One metal is softer by far,,and the other is a forged metal, don't forget those two things and use them to your advantage. Heat gun applied also if needed. You might get lucky and it will all come apart easy,,but NEVER count on it and have a backup plan.

Silicone spray at Napa or the auto parts store, Walmart, boat supply shop, ect. There is a silicone plumbers grease(Ace Hardware) if you want something a bit heavier and longer lasting.
http://www.johnsens.com/products/detail/4603-silicone-lubricant
Stuff I use.

 

Looks nice! Anxious to see and hear of the result

 

Thanks Thanks.

Tapping lightly to vibrate loose... added to sequence. I'll play a little this afternoon and see if its going to be sweet to me... I do need to get other parts/ pieces out of my way to be able to work. I may or may not get to the mounting studs. First things first, got to get that heat shield off.

Is it sad that I am actually excited to see the cast iron header break in two?

 

Also, Ill be posting more details and further Q & A over on the build page. Find me there...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-all-manual-build.407774/page-3#post-11660405

 

LCE Header is in.

 

Thoughts after a couple of weeks worth of driving?

 

Still happy with the purchase. Overall things seem to be running much smoother. Regaining gas mileage has been a nice add. It's still nice to here the crank up and slight purr. I've gotten a couple compliments and funny enough had some people ask if it was a 6 cylinder (because of the full exhaust system).

Took it for a long ride up in the mountains this past weekend. Ran some seafoam and non-ethanol 93 octane through it to clean out and shake off some dust since its been a secondary vehicle for the last year or so. Idles great and pulled up the long grades better than it ever has.

I do have to make adjustments to get the heat shield around the catalytic converter out of the way. Certain low rpms cause the exhaust pipe to ting on the heat shield a little but it will be easy to fix. It hasn't bothered me enough to do it yet but I'll probably knock it out this weekend.

Overall, I would do it it again for sure. Since I installed it myself, it was totally worth it because the cost wasn't much different from going with an OEM mini header and LCE sent every part and piece I needed to install it.