Headers Comparison

I was looking at headers for the ole Taco and I was wondering between Doug Thorleys and JBAs which one do you have and which one is easier to install? Performance and Installation are my 2 major concerns. Thanks

Moose

 

it all depends... if u got emissions and know a good welder do the jbas... if u have no emissions get the DT long tubes, they bolt on straight to the y-pipe no welding required. the long tubes are raspy and put out a little more power than the jbas. my jbas are all ported out and sound bitchin and has great performance. i dont regret them at all, if i was in high school and wanted loud i would of said fuck emissions and got the long tubes, hope this helps

 

O lame why do the JBAs require welding for Tacos? They didnt on my friend's dodge. I definately dont want to weld and I am in CA but my car isnt registered in CA so i dunno if im subject to their emissions thingy. I also would be open to other brands like Borla and others.

 

u have to weld them because u keep the front set of cats... the long tubes cancel out the cats, and will throw a CEL code cuz of the 02 sensors, urd has something to bypass that code, the jbas wont throw a CEL cuz the front two cats are still in place. jbas are shorties, DT are long

 

dude go for the doug thorleys. short tubes are what i want for my 4 banger. its a tri y system. itll go good with whatever mods your running. pluss its 50 state smog legal.

 

do u have to get the y pipe for the long tube headers

 

not sure. i mainly only know about short headers

 

DT makes a short tube version too. +1 on mentioning the code tho...Good looking out!

I haven't done it myself- but if you get the DT long tube headers they should meet up with the stock piping. If you get the short tube headers (DT or JBA) you'll need to weld the stock cats or straight pipe on to them to make them reach the stock piping.

 

Ive considered the Thorleys too. Is this something better installed at a muffler shop?

So my plan: Thorley Long pipes, magnaflow 40, and the URD O2 unit??? Am I missing anything?

Anyone know where to find the best deal on the Thorleys?

 

If you were to do away with all the Cats, is this GOOD(considering your not req to have them)?

Would this make even with the URD code thing, make the gas mileage better or worst.......I just don't understand the whole Header exhaust thing...

 

After 8 hours of research, this is what I've come up with..

1. URD CAI (is on the way).
2. K&N dry-charger boot (and possibly a universal metal deflector) to keep water out.
3. Thorley long-tube headers.
4. Y-pipe (existing with lower cats for back-pressure)
5. Borla cat-back exhaust system (existing)
6. Empire O2 simulator

Then later I can add:

7. URD MAF calibration unit (can purchase pre-mapped for URD intake)
8. PLX AFR unit
9. dm200 OBDII gauge (which also reads info from trucks ECU)

As suggested by PB in another thread, I can use one of the bungs freed-up by the eliminated O2 sensor (due to deleting the upper pre-cats with the Thorley headers) to install the PLX O2 sensor. Then, I will be able to safely/accurately map/tune the MAF unit to fit my setup.

After 8 hours of reading, this is where I am. If I've left anything out, or forgotten anything PLEASE let me know.

Thanks.

 

Seems like an awesome set up. I wish I could do that but Im in CA.

 

yeah what options do us cali residents have?

 

HAHAHAHA

True dat.

We really don't have much. For headers JBA is the only legal brand with a CARB number that Im aware of. For intakes we are very limited also. Not even the TRD one is legal. And for other parts like Y-pipes we are out of luck on those too.

So basically everything that is awesome and you want to put on your truck, you can't.

 

Anyone see any significant gains after adding headers. I have the TRD cai and Banks exhaust, but I'm not sure if I should go ahead and add headers to my setup. But if the performance gains are substantial, I would definately do it.

 

the headers will help u get the most of ur CAI and exhaust. and to get the most out of ur headers get the URD MAF CAL

 

Which headers do you recommend, performance wise?

 

as much as i love my jbas and the sound of the pulsing... but if u want straight out full performance and dont care bout emissions or sound, get the DT long tubes!

 

After reading up on the long tubes, I don't really think they're for me. Are the JBA's pretty good as far as performance? Better than the DT Short tubes?