Ordered a Northwest Offroad (NWOR) header

It's been many many moons since my cast manifold cracked and I bought my LCE header. My truck might have had 80k on it then. I want to say almost all the studs came out of the head vs the nut backing off correctly. What a pain. Did yours fight you?

Hopefully you get the performance you seek.

 

i like the shiny bits

 

One stud backed out when I installed the OEM mini header. Two backed out when I installed this header.

Thanks, me too.

 

I am interested to know the outcome on this too. I just bought an 03 with the 2.7. All 3 of my previous first gens were V6's so I'm anxious to get some miles on this one and see how I like it. 26 years ago I had a 91 regular cab with a 22RE and a Downey header with Rancho exhaust behind it. on 33" tires with 4:88 gears that truck got 24mpg on the highway. It was pretty amazing and the header made a big difference. But the later tubular manifolds used on the 2.7 is supposed to be pretty efficient anyhow.

 

I'll post my mileage after my next fill up. I filled up yesterday with 87 Chevron so it will be a bit over a week before I know the gain. I'm hoping for 23 mpg using my usual mostly conservative driving habits. Will see.

 

I installed this header on my 3rz in place of the cast manifold. Made a huge difference. I also installed a high flow flowmaster exhaust and dynomax muffler.

 

Wow rybern it's looking good IMO. I'm still very interested in your quest for better all around gains.

 

Thanks. So far, I'm not overwhelmed by performance gain. I've only driven up small inclines so far and the truck does seem to do it with less effort. However, the difference so far isn't anything that makes me say, "Wow, what a difference". For the record, deck plate mod has been done and rest of intake and exhaust is stock.

 

I should probably add that when I bought a 2000 Camaro SS last year and modded it from running 13.6 down to a 12.2 in the 1/4 mile. My butt dyno never told me the car was any faster as I added bolt ones. Had to find out at the drag strip. So maybe my butt dyno doesn't work that great.

 

Even if you don't see any gains,,your engine thanks you for the header.

 

Good point. Thanks for the optimism.

 

OK guys. I went through the first tank of gas with this header. i wasn't expecting the moon when I bought this, and I sure didn't get it.

Here is my gas log with dates, gas type and MPG. MPG is figured manually the old fashioned way using odometer. Speedometer is correct with stock size tires(265/70r16), 4.30 gears. Furthermore, I added the deckplate mod since I last checked mileage. Rest of truck is stock including suspension.

5-11-17 reg unleaded 20.6 mpg
5-19-17 unleaded plus 21.8 mpg
5-29-17 reg unleaded 21.0 mpg
6-5-17 reg unleaded 21.1 mpg
7-15-17 reg unleaded 20.6 mpg (after header and deckplate mod)

In fairness to the NWOR header, the driving I did was a little bit different than just to and from work and I suspect it affected the mpg just a bit. I had about 10% more in town driving and about 50% more hwy driving at 65mph (should have offset the in town).

Maybe I need to put the deckplate cap back in and see if there is a difference.

At this point, I cannot recommend this header and consider it an "upgrade". It's a much nicer part than the OEM mini header and may be providing me with some gains that I don't realize but so far this part isn't worth the $600(with shipping) I have invested in it. I plan to check a few more tanks of gas. I'll put the deckplate back in at my next fill up to see if the deckplate is hurting mpg(I know it doesn't make since.

 

CEL came on yesterday and gave a P0420 code. Research reveals that it could be an exhaust leak or rear o2. Maybe this could have contributed to no gain in gas mileage after installing the header. I plan to re-torque the header bolts, check the flange bolts, o2 sensor nuts and any signs of leaks. If all that looks good then I'll order a

$51 Denso 234-4162 Oxygen Sensor with 4-Wire 10.5” Harness for Non-California, Non-4WD Lexus/Toyota

Denso 234-4162(rear o2).

I did a 3rd fill up today since installing the header and got 20.2 mpg using Shell 87 octane. CEL came on during this tank(I cleared it twice). Previous mileage is listed above. Maybe I do have a leak and it was causing my 1st tank of gas with the header to be a bit low. I have done more 65mph driving in the last two tanks of gas but I still would have expected a bit of increase with this header based on NWOR claims and a few reviews that I've read. I filled up again today with 89 octane Chevron and left the deck plate out. It just doesn't make sense that the deckplate mod could have helped hurt my mpg.

 

Afterthought: After finishing editing my reply ten times, I realized how old this thread was.

Might I add; check your o2 connections before installing the new sensor.
It may be that you had accidentally dislodged a connection, maybe even unplug and replug.

Another thing to check is that you installed the EGR Line Gasket from the header to the EGR Line, this could be a source for an exhaust leak (suggesting this because I cannot identify the gasket in the picture).

Another other thing is to buy the one new o2 sensor gasket you may need for this header that gets installed before the catalytic converter.

You may choose to reassure yourself that the gasket between the header and exhaust pipe has a good seal.

But for more information, visit https://www.obd-codes.com/p0420

Here's my strange theory:
The header may be dissipating heat quicker than the catalytic converter can heat to its normal operating temperature; thereby throwing the P0420.
​

My theory has some backing from this dude on youtube (4m19s): https://youtu.be/HADOcrcMikA?t=4m19s
And other backing from this dude on youtube (1m54s): https://youtu.be/9VZ5K8n5jj0?t=1m54s

I'd watch the second dude's video to see how to use a heat gun for diagnosing a bad catalytic converter (even though that wouldn't be your problem, because you threw P0420 only after you installed the NWOR header, as I understand).

​

About the product: "premium grade 14 gauge tubing" and "superior strength, durability and its sound-deadening qualities" are the only two statements from their product webpage seen here: https://northwestoffroad.com/parts/triheaders.php which not even remotely mention the material, coating, or heat conductive capacities of their product. Take it how you will; but a well-designed product had better have a well written description, too.

And as always; clear the CEL before going for another cruise (which someone else might be able to chime in on just how to do that effectively).

 

Thanks for the info. I ended up replacing the O2 sensor back in July and haven't had any CEL's since then.

 

Good to hear! Now I know what to look for when I buy a header.

Thank you for spending the time on this thread.
Your service is appreciated.

 

Did that improve your mpg's or are they still about the same?

 

Your welcome guys. I really hoped that this header would have provided me with more power and MPG. Make no mistake, my truck runs great and I do believe it helps it go up hills easier. I also did have to work through a pinging issue caused by injectors or build up in my lower intake. The weather has turned cold and I really can't say for sure if my MPG will increase the way that other folks have claimed.

 

I myself figure that the usual "1-3 MPG gain" also depends on the internals of the engine, too. As you said you were chasing a pinging issue; it may be (I could definitely be wrong) that the history of other trucks allowed those trucks to gain MPG, but let's be honest here; we don't buy a Tacoma expecting to save gas.

I would spend the money on a short header merely for the low end torque gains for city driving, light hauling, and offroading.

Thanks again!