Exhaust Manifold Alternatives

I have an 02 single cab with a leaky exhaust manifold. Leaking where the pipe meets the mounting plate. Not going to bother welding it, probably rusted from the inside out. Curious if OEM is the best pick or if I should upgrade to anything since it's time for a full swap?

 

Just an opinion but try finding an aftermarket replacement at Autozone or O'riely for an '02 exhaust manifold. That tells me OEM is pretty solid.

 

I'm not looking to go down in quality, but upgrade is anything. Such as Doug Thorleys header. Curious if anyone has had long term success with this or something similar?

 

Sorry, may not have been clear. Meant that the fact you won't find a replacement at Autozone or O'riely tells me the OEM is long lasting, solid. On my '96 you can find cast iron replacements anywhere. I thought about getting an aftermarket header style but the difference in sound and potential fitment issues drove me to using the '02 OEM part. That after watching a bunch of youtube vids and reading up on forums like here. Wasn't going for performance, just a long term solution for exhaust manifold leak. Anyway, just replaced mine so now I'm an expert and running off at the mouth about it. Not! Good luck with yours, use PB blaster and take your time with it is the best advice I can give.

 

Ah, yes, you and I are on the same page then. I think you went about it the right way sticking with OEM and I should probably do the same. I can't say for sure what the quality of any kind of upgrade would be and if it's worth the extra $$ as these headers run hot.

Already have some PB soaking the nuts as we speak. They don't look horrible but who knows

 

Just buy a used one, no shortage of them too buy

 

Did mine last year as the header cracked at the exhaust flange. Used OEM as the originals lasted 20 years. Replaced all the hardware and gaskets while I was at it (left the studs in though). Timmy the Toolman has a pretty good video on youtube about swapping it. Useful information.

 

Where did you get the manifold and do you recall the cost?

 

I buy all my parts at https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/

I always compare prices with other big online dealers and have found them to always be the cheapest for OEM. They always check all the parts against your VIN and will email your if its wrong. That has saved me from ordering the wrong parts twice. I believe it was around $300 - $325. Gaskets and hardware was like $75.

 

Wow, that is very reasonable for an OE manifold, had no idea. When the time comes I won't even bother looking for a used one at that price. Thanks!

 

I learned quickly that earlier models of the 3RZ have a casted manifold and typically have options for a header swap since the cast tends to crack more often. Which increases the low-mid HP. The later 3RZ models (which I have) however have a steel pipe design which last long but typically don't do well with header mods since the engine relies so heavily on CAT back pressure which effects the EGR as well (which exists only on the later 3RZ models). Some people do an EGR delete but that's just asking for trouble if you ask me!

 

I guess I’m asking for trouble lol

 

Early models have the egr as well. My 97 3rz has the egr. You don’t need back pressure on a 4 stroke, and you can run an aftermarket header on any of them without hurting anything or having egr issues. I’ve been running a cheap pacesetter long tube header on mine for like 7-8 years now. No issues and definitely opened up the power band a bit.

 

Hmm. That’s good to know! Lots of articles out there making it seem like the EGR wasn’t until the newer first gen. Thanks for the correction. Hows the noise? I’ve read mixed reviews. Some say its normal some say its an loud buzzing sound.

 

You talking noise from the header ? If you leave the rest of the exhaust as is and just bolt on a header in place of the manifold, you probably wont notice much difference in sound at all.