LCE Header and AFE Drop In Filter = Awesome Drivability Upgrade

Hi all-
So I bought my 2013 4 cylinder in a moment of conservatism--"I can live with the 4" I told myself. The next day I regretted it severely. The dealer wouldn't let me trade up--this led me to spend hours of my days for weeks pouring over these forums and others looking for any possible way of improving what was turning out to be lackluster performance (especially in the hills of Vermont).
I read about the LCE Long Tube Header and bought one after selling my '04 Matrix--this had a noticeable impact on drivability. But then I also added an AFE Pro-dry filter and I have to say--there is a REAL change in performance and fun factor. I spend most of my time at 60-65 instead of 50-55 and generally do not feel I'm missing out on much HP wise.
If you're wondering whether or not it's worth it--it is.
Of course I haven't brought it to a dyno, and probably won't.
Improvements to the truck include:

Nokian Rotiiva Tires (very very nice)
ShearComfort Corder Seat Covers (great match to the interior)
Roll up Tonneau Cover
LCE Long Tube Header
AFE Pro-Dry filter

 

Ooooh, you have the manual!! Jealous. How difficult was it to install the header? Been thinking about one.

Remember: It's built to haul, not haul ass.

 

I love the way access cab trucks look.
I wish I could swipe your ring gears

 

The Header was actually quite easy to install-though I do recommend putting some PB buster on the exhaust bolts a day in advance.

 

Did you also remove the secondary charcoal air filter? It feel like it had a better response when I did.

 

I did not--was a bit nervous to do so given what I've read about the MAF sensor.

 

I agree with your take. I too have the LCE header and AFE filter in my 2014 2.7 auto 4x4. Certainly worth the cost!

 

I drill out the rivets on mine so if I didn't like it I could still put it back in but it's been well over a year now

 

I also have a 2013 2.7L. Power wise, it's adequate for me. But I've been hearing so many good things about the lce headers I finally pulled the trigger on them the other night. Looking forward to the results. FYI - I have the afe filter and pulled the charcoal filter as well as the intake resonator. I can't say for sure it has changed much from stock performance. Just the intake noise is much louder but in a good way imo. But it does "feel" like it can haul a bit better.

 

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on the intake resonator.

 

I wouldn't do it banking on performance gains but if you just want a louder intake, I'd go for it. Only took me 30 minutes and it was free. Sounds great at 2500+ rpm.

 

I like my LCE header. I know you guys are all 2nd gens, but on my 1st gen I give it a thumbs up. I can be in any gear at 1.25k revs on flat ground and not bog.. so it really does drop the torque curve considerably. Keep in mind, if you pull anything out of your air intake you will gain a small amount of high end power at the cost of low end power, so don't do it. The intake will growl a bit louder and deeper, you will lose hauling ability. I may go for an afe pro dry when I finally need a new air filter.. will see.


One thing I will mention, (probably irrelevant to 2nd gens,) I had to lose the front CAT and do a custom exhaust job to make the long tube header fit.

 

I could see how removing the intake resonator could have shifted power from low end to high end. But the change feels pretty minimal imo. Maybe once I get my lce header put in, it'll bring the power back down...?

 

Do you want minimal gains in low end power or minimal gains in high end power?

Given that you drive a truck, I'll assume you want low end power.

The LCE header will drop your torque curve (good thing), anything that you do that opens up the intake will allow too much air flow at low revs and be a bad thing.


There's a lot of info on how intakes and exhaust systems work together both on this site and on the internet. Don't open up your intake or your exhaust on a truck, you may get more noise or a deeper tone but you will lose your low end which honestly is all that your truck really has.

 

Any pics of the LCD header installed? If you have to lose your cat how do you get around the emissions testing?

 

You don't have to modify the exhaust at all on the 2014 2.7. I don't know about any others.

 

Oops! Misread. Cat is pulled on the 1st gen trucks.

 

Install video.

 

I watched that a few weeks ago and I thought that was the dumbest before and after. The install portion was nice, but I didnt like how they changed 2 variables. they should have done a header + stock ehxuast vs stock everything

 

I changed out to a K&N filter, not the full CAI and I removed the charcoal filter. That's all I'm going to do on the intake side. I did add an AFE catback. My butt dyno swears it opened the engine up a bit but then again butts can lie.