LCE Header

I also noted the torque-curve shift down, in terms of effectiveness within the rev-range, in my experience. The header got me about 8 months down the road in terms of improved acceleration characteristics, before the more permanent solution of re-gearing the final drive fixed all.

By itself - the header is an improvement - to fully realize gains - the vehicle needs to be geared appropriately, and ideally, the rest of the exhaust system needs to be freer flowing than the OEM setup.

 

Fair enough. My fingers were typing faster than my brain could dictate.

 

Hack -- can you elaborate? I see you have a Magnaflow muffler, but is the remainder of your exhaust stock? What effect/benefit does your muffler have? Is it louder than the stock muffler? And what is the estimated labor cost to replace a muffler?

I'm just asking to see if a minimal additional expense can result in an even greater performance gain as a result of installing the LCE header.

Thanks.

 

For the record - this is the first automotive exhaust system i have significantly messed with, in 30 years of car ownership. My theory comes from the 2-wheeled, inline-4 motorcycle world.

At the time of the installation all components in the exhaust system were reworked or replaced, as soon as i had my Catalytic Converter replaced upon recall, including the LCE header. I wasn't prepared to sacrifice the Catalytic in the reformulation, as we are an emissions testing Province.

I had the exhaust reworked at about 5.5 years into ownership. The tubing was solid and reusable, the canister was showing signs of internal corrosion at that point. I had come across the Magnaflow in the course of following 'Tooter' here on the group, who had done extensive testing of the 2.7L and various combination of canister and aftermarket header. Most people put the smaller version of the Magnaflow onto their truck - my preference is to maximize volumetric capacity in the canister, while keeping a canister that flows well. The bigger the canister, in theory, more effective the 'muffling' characteristics of the canister in the exhaust setup .. while it also flows better with 2.5" inlet and exhaust (vs 2.25" for OEM stock exhaust pipe diameter). The new Catalytic is now the most restrictive portion of the exhaust system.

Tooter's findings generally indicate that of any intake or exhaust modifications that you can do, the Header will have the primary net benefit. However - those net benefits cannot be realized, if the rest of the exhaust system won't flow well enough to take advantage of the equal-length flow characteristics of the header.

At the time of exhaust re-work, i was trying to put off regearing the truck - given that Tooter's results indicate a shift in the torque curve downward. His theory held true - i did see a noticeable improvement in low-speed, low-idle acceleration off the line. The full benefits were only realized, when the final drive gearing was corrected, and the header could work more efficiently.

I would be bald-faced lying if i said that the increased volume and altered tone of the exhaust wasn't a factor - i'm a recovering high-RPM's motorcycle addict, after all. That said, i don't believe the altered characteristics are obnoxious.

I did the exhaust work because the truck would need exhaust work in the next few years anyway. I had the project funds available to address what i thought needed to be done for the rest of the exhaust system, if i was in there getting the header replaced anyway.

 

This part I can understand. Specifically, what do you recommend for those of us who only installed the header? Should we consider something like this:

$645 aFe Power 49-46024-P MACH Force-Xp 2-1/2" Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System with Polished Tip

https://www.amazon.com/aFe-Power-49...9060--8-1---1-0&sr=1-8&ymm=2014:toyota:tacoma

 

I don't feel qualified to recommend anything to anyone, in terms of recommends for exhaust purchases.. all i can give is seat of the pants perspective, of what i do know. I'd strongly suggest doing a bit of reading on Tooter's various threads on this and related topics, in order to form own opinion.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/4886699/

Premium cost - but you know the exhaust has most likely been tested in conjunction with some of the headers that they have on offer. I came at my muffler guy (old school, knows his shit) and presented him with the Magnaflow canister, the LCE header, and the knowledge that the Catalytic was just replaced so he didn't need to wrestle with it, and left him with the task to get creative.

Buying a premium exhaust system actually set up for the vehicle, saves on 'creativity' costs. Shipping for just the LCE header alone, was enough. An Amazon sale had provided for the Magnaflow canister, on discount much earlier- i was looking for the specific part no., and stockpiling parts for the whole exhaust to come together at once.

Seen this one?

http://www.lceperformance.com/Magnaflow-Exhaust-Tacoma-2-7L-05-11-EC-CC-p/1042053.htm

 

Hack -- you talked me out of it. I'm gonna play it safe and leave the exhaust alone. I got bigger fish to fry. Gotta stay focused on re-gearing. Probably a much better bang for buck.

 

Sub'd. Just got my LC header this week. Planning to install tonight! Thx for the info on here guys!