2.7 header decisions

Definitely felt and heard a power gain and cool low rpm exhaust note from the OEM mini header,,but I also don't run a cat converter. Stock muffler still in place.

We are talking a small gain, but it was a noticeable difference.

Will you experience this??,, probably not.

If I was after a header for a SC or turbo setup, I would have one made. Because all the ones I have seen online have been shit other than the oem mini. The mini is not the sexy piece you envision, but it gets the job done better than a cast manifold I feel. Have had my hands on everything from $4000 custom competition Lemons headers (a box of snakes that you assemble yourself, then weld in place) to el cheapo import shit over the years. The Doug Thorley coated header is a SEEMINGLY nice piece that would probably be my 2nd choice for a 1st gen 2.7 4 banger, but I didn't need that. Thorley does have some cool electric exhaust cutouts that I have been looking at for another project.

For the basis of this thread, either the mini or go back to the cast manifold which is also another option that shouldn't be discounted to far. Are you going to keep the truck or sell it off soon?. If your going to keep it for awhile, my vote is for the mini.

 

I really would like to increase performance of the engine over time. A turbo may be in the future if I come across the right deal. I would hate to tear into the truck to only go back to stock and then figure out later that I should have gone with the LCE in the first place. But this does help. Have you or someone you know run either one? Worth the extra $ for the LCE? Is there something comparable to the LCE?

 

well if you are going turbo or super charger you will need a complete new exhaust front to rear anyway. more air in means more air out so everything must be upgraded there.

I think the best way to go is SC instead of turbo, in my opinion a SC is just a much better setup and you can buy them new for right at $3k

 

Fo sho! Good info. I most likely will have to change my exhaust set up when I do suspension system anyways. So, what the heck... might as well go big or go home, right?

 

follow thisprojectg thread to see what is all involved in it http://www.speedysgarage.net/sportrunner/

and here is the SC kit itself http://www.lceperformance.com/2RZ-2-4L-3RZ-2-7L-High-Boost-Supercharger-Kit-1995-p/7015190.htm

 

Well if you were turbo it would be all custom. A supercharger yes it would be beneficial. But you should still have good gains NA

 

Yeah, I agree you'd notice a difference NA with the LCE for sure due to the lower scavenging point and equal length runners. It lowers the RPM at which you reach your torque high potential which on these engines is key.

 

Exactly. The equal length designs allow the exhaust pulses to fall in line right behind eachother, increase the scavenging effect.

 

I have a Pacesetter and its held together for about 4-5 years now. The issue I have is that it's so cheap and flimsy where it mates to the second half before the cat I've have to replace at least 2 gaskets a year.

I would stay away from the PS and go with an OEM mini or the LCE. NWOR sells a good looking one as well as a few other companies. But most all from what I found years ago have poor reviews.

 

You might take a look thru the Remflex offering. THE BEST gaskets for a stubborn repeat leaker or new installs that you don't want to have to deal with again,,ever. Yours looks to be a 3 bolt and they have collector gaskets,,as well as exhaust manifold gaskets for 4, 6, and 8 cylinder. There catalog has expanded quite a bit,,from there early days. Can buy bulk material to cut your own as well.

Can't say enough about them. Only problem is everyone seems to scared to try them or haven't heard of them,,or both.
http://catalog.remflex.com/

Remflex, Inc.
"If you don't like em - you haven't tried em!"

 

I wish they were. They still owe me a 40mm Weber downdraft that they never got back to me. Spent a big pile there,,when they were running Dodge/Mitsu D-50 2wd's and then Toyota's.

 

... what Speedy said.

I had the OEM mini-header which was stainless. It was really ugly + the 'under the hood' heat was too much for some added wiring I had done.
Went with the Doug Thorley from LCE. It is CARB legal in CA. The aluma-coat also dropped the temps under the hood too.

Here it is:

 

That not the header we are talking about. We are talking about the actual header lce makes

 

I have a pacesetter header, i just sandblasted the paint off and sprayed VHT paint on it and it works pretty well

 

http://www.autozone.com/exhaust/per...ce-collector-gasket/467565_0_0/?checkfit=true
This is what I've been using and looks to be about the same as the RemFlex. Next time I'm going to try and bend the plates more straight. I also contemplated making a pair of two piece plates out of some 1/4" plate to maybe sandwich the connection even tighter. A new set of motor mounts wouldn't hurt either as the 16yo and 120k mile mounts are probably tired allowing for too much engine flex.

 

I understand that. This another option for the OP that LCE offers.
The LC header, long tube or mini, is not CARB legal for CA which is a bummer.

 

I tried the Percy's stuff also.

Before I would try to make new plates or try to bend collector plates straight,,I would just have that collector welded to the header, as it should be.

Before I would weld the collector on, I would try the Remflex. Nothing to loose,,100% no questions asked money back if it doesn't seal.

Obviously if you have warped pieces,,severely warped pieces, no gasket other than weld bead or a new unit is going to seal the thing up.

 

Yea, a turbo is out of the conversation with either of these headers. It would have to be a completely custom set up to put one in, right?

A supercharger would work with either but may want to use LCE for added performance.

Here is another good thread on Yotatech about the mini header.

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/oem-mini-header-install-2-7l-pics-157752/

 

Here is what seems to be a pretty good turbo setup for a pretty good price. I have never bought from these guys, I just found a pretty good example of what kind of manifold you would be using with a turbo. Check out the exhaust manifold and associated pieces. This gives you a idea of what you need in that aspect. Tons of turbo threads out there,,and here on TW.
http://www.koracing.net/viewproduct.php?folder=103&product=479

A SC kit would be 1/2 the hassle of this, but cost a bit more for about the same amount of gain. That's not all-inclusive. Some folks are much more talented at extracting the most for the least effort and for less. With the SC kit, you could probably make all the headers we have posted about work with that setup, even the oem mini.

Once you go turbo,,you have to be smart at tuning and giving the motor what it wants to live. Heat is your enemy on both fronts (turbo or SC).

 

I to have the pacesetter, going on 4 years now with no problems. The header itself is decent but the gaskets it came with are garbage and should be tossed right off the bat.

to the guy struggling with the gasket on the 3 bolt flange on the pacesetter, what I did was buy a good quality copper gasket from summit racing for this location. Its been in there a good 3 years and still no leaks. The only place I had leak issues was where the second piece bolts to the cat. It wasn't sitting flush against one another. I ended up using a remflex in this location for about 2 years until my cat came apart and plugged up so I had to un bolt it. After gutting the cat upon reinstalling I just went to the parts house, I believe it was auto zone, and got the oe replacement which turned out to be a donut made of the same stuff the remflex gasket was made of. Through that in and after about a year she is still holding strong with no leaks. Oh, I also just reused the original metal manifold gasket up top from the get go and its been fine.