LCE header increases MPG!...to 27.5 mpg.

I have installed an LCE stainless steel header on my 2016 SR AC 4X4, 5 speed manual (4 cyl.). The install was straight forward and took about 3 hours. I took my time.

Initial impression of the performance was disappointing. I saw no improvements, but as the ecu began to adjust, I noticed better part throttle performance. The engine feels less labored and requires less throttle to maintain road speeds. I can use 5th gear more with the A/C on. The engine is smoother at lower rpm than before when under a load.

After my initial disappointment, I fueled up to see if the fuel economy had changed. This is when I started to notice the improvements at part throttle. I drove 126.6 miles on 4.979 gallons of 87 octane pure gas, for 25.43 mpg. This is the first time in 12000 mi. that I got 25 mpg, and this was with the A/C on the majority of the time. Previous best was 24 mpg with no A/C (Which I used ton get almost 50% of the time). I drove normally on 2 lane roads at 60 mph or less and 65 mph on 4 lane roads.

This inspired me to check the mpg with no air conditioning. I fueled up and drove normally for 279.1 miles on 10.148 gal. for 27.503 mpg. This is a 3.5 mpg improvement.

The photo is my new Ultragauge. The avg. mpg is for 40 miles of driving. I started fresh upon leaving my house. I have to climb a 200 ft. hill (gauge showed 5 mpg!) It recovered after about 10 miles to normal mpg and then continued to climb as I drove at 45 to 50 mph. After the 20 mile trip to the gas station, I fueled up and drove the 20 miles back to my house. The "AVG MPG" is for the 40 mile round trip. The 20.5 gal. fuel level and the "miles to empty" is after the 20 mile trip. Used .6 gal. 625 miles per tank!...If you want to and can drive slow.
I calculated a conservative pay back for 2 mpg gain at $2.30/gal. at 57,000 miles for the cost of the header. I have stock P245/75r16 tires at the factory recommended 32 psi.

 

Awesome man, looks like I'm going to be buying one sooner than later lol! @MidnightRebel07

 

Could of been less windy or a tail wind or something to end up giving you 1 mpg difference lol. I wouldn't get too excited

 

Unfortunately they don't make headers for the 3.5

 

Well man I caved and went ahead and ordered it, got it for $435.31 shipped! Can't wait for it to get here and get it on. No so much looking for the mpg increases but the torque and hp since I'm running a 3" lift and 32" tires!!! Thanks for the info on it I appreciate it!!!

 

Let's go another week and see if mph stays better and I'll spring for one. Please keep us informed.

 

Yep.

 

Did you disconnect the neg battery cable during installation?

 

Yeah, the difference between LA and Vegas with wind is around 4 mpgs with my 3.5.

 

I bet you'll get over 30 mpgs if you install one of those electric fan turbos

 

I did disconnect the battery.

There was no wind. Trips were all two way same day. This time of the year, wind is pretty much zilch...humid and stagnant.

The best I had gotten in the last 12000 miles was 24 mpg. Same roads were driven that I always drive.

fill ups since header install:
126.6mi./4.979gal.=25.42mpg with air conditioning.
44.3mi./1.571gal.=28.12mpg no air conditioning.
234.8mi./8.577gal.=27.38mpg no air conditioning.

Seems better to me.
I used to live in the Mojave dessert. The wind out there is nuts. I got tired of it. When I first moved there, I was waiting in line at an auto parts store and I overheard a man say that he was moving because he was tired of the wind. I asked myself, "What wind?". I soon found out.

 

Some good info, thanks for the post. My fuel mileage has been ranging from 21 to 23 mpgs, but that is just doing some math after I fill up. And it just turned 2,000 miles yesterday.

 

Awesome post. Thanks @snefo !! I just am finishing up the last leg of my 10 day 3000 mile trip of visiting Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Flagstaff, Sedona and my best mpg I got was 27 mpg on the trip. Most of the time I was averaging 22-25mpg... keep in mind the high speed limits of 75-80+ in a lot of the state's up north...

I just have the PreRunner 2.7L 5MT 2WD 140k miles with campershell 245s michelin LTE AT/2. Everything is stock.

I'm commenting because im on the fence about getting a 4x4 with either the 2.7L 5MT or 3.5L 6MT 4x4 TRD Sport AC. I won't buy an automatic. NEVER!

Anyone know what the avg. People are getting with the 3.5L 6MT 4x4? I'm pretty sure Toyota under rates the 2.7L to push people into buying the premium v6. Super stupid

 

Sheesh, you haven't even broken the vehicle in. It will get better with time. Learn your trucks sweet spot, and keep RPMs low...that will set you up for 25 MPG+ everytime

 

Darn, I was told by the company I can't do the mod here in good ole California because I wouldn't get through smog checks

 

I was thinking about getting an UltraGauge like yours to help me monitor my fuel and other info. Do you like it? How do you have it mounted?

 

Well, you don't need to worry about smog checks until what, 10 years from now?

 

That's possibly not correct. I don't live there anymore so I don't know what their exact ruling is, but typically if the headers are built to accommodate everything that may be on the OEM, like O2 sensors, there shouldn't be any difference. They just flow better, they do not alter the exhaust emissions. I would check around.

 

Many performance headers aren't CA legal unfortunately, thats why TRD included a decal for under the hood that specifies theirs are CA legal. Even then its still a pain in the ass and some shops wont even deal with it. CA smog sucks big time.

 

It's five years after a new car purchase and then once every two years