Who has installed the OEM Mini-header on their 3rz?

Crack in my 2000's manifold appeared yesterday (or I just noticed it ticking LOL).

Really wish I could snag LCE's header, but it's not CARB approved for my year here in CA and I'd have to modify the dual cats to even make it link up properly.

Have access to the 01-04 mini header for cheap but curious if anyone has Dyno results (even butt Dyno!) that show some torque curve lowering effect like the LCE.

 

I did one in mine after my stock cast manifold basically broke in half. Likely yours has been broken for a little while like mine was.
No true dyno results, but at 8000' where I was living at the time, I felt like it had a little better throttle response, fuel economy bumped up around 1 mpg as well this was when I was much more stock. It's a much better swap than putting the cast style of header in but I wouldn't claim it adds tons of power. It seemed to have a touch more torque going over the mountain passes from what I remember.

My factory one was cracked all but about an inch. They normally don't look too bad until you remove them.

 

Appreciate the info. Yeah, i'm not expecting huge gains - just was seeing if there was a touch more torque from the swap. Funny you mention mountain passes, that's exactly what was in mind when I made the post lol. Tooter has some good info, may see how an Injen 36" intake does with it too. Stock air box clutters up engine bay too.

 

Technically the mini-header isn't CARB compliant either, unless it was the original equipment on your truck.

I can't say how likely it is, but your truck could fail inspection if you install one.

 

I did as well. The OEM one is great and wasn't too expensive. The stupid heat shield for it was though. Not sure on power since I went from an LCE header to the OEM setup. Great sound though.

 

'technically' yes, but with the heat shield installed it looks 100% original and will pass find (according to those who have).

 

Well does it feel like you lost any low end torque? If not, that's a good sign. How was it going from stock manifold to LCE?

i'll be throwing the heat shield on so I don't get f*cked come smog time.

 

I didn't notice any difference except for the noise was less than the LCE header. I only switched due to some idle vibration with the header.

 

Anyone here need a mini header? Got a used one in great condition from an 03 3RZ we pulled for a swap, has the heat shield thingy too.

 

pics? How much?

 

I can take some when I get home, it's in my parts pile, the OE part is a low grade stainless so it has a little surface rust but I can sand blast it off for whoever buys it if they really want. Looks like a new header is $265 and the heat shield is $112. How about $150 for both and you pay shipping?

 

May take you up on that, I just got under my truck and realized I only have a single cat since my truck wasn’t a CA until this past May so must have been the federal version.

 

I believe that setup is drop in compatible with the mini header, I think the header is the same no matter what your cat arrangement is.

 

It does drop right in - about as easy as it goes.

 

I did my 96 a couple years back with the OEM pipe header. Followed a thread on here and Timmy’s YouTube vid. Cast header was cracked in a couple places and had P0420. Cleaned TB and entire intake to the block. Runs like a scalded monkey, more low end response for sure.

 

I’ve done it twice. Straight swap on both a 97 & 00 model. Not sure of any difference in performance.

 

Good to hear, Timmy kicks ass! Told him on a few videos I owe him a beer or two if he makes it East in CA toward me. Luckily I just checked today and I have a single cat 2000 3rz that was not a CA truck originally so I can get the LCE and just swap OEM manifold + heat shield back in for smog time.

nice! beats a shitty cast iron - pulled mine today and located a few different small cracks aside from the big one I saw. What kind of coating did you paint it with?

 

I have the long LCE headers and their 3" exhaust, it's pretty awesome. Big fan of the headers. After almost two years (ish) use they still look new. So does the exhaust, ceramic coating is pretty awesome. No leaks. But the later style OE manifold is a good option for sure and you can get them cheap. Not sure on the smog for those in CA but when I last lived there I could just text a vin and send some cash for a check...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q9rGzh3MX4ghZ23L9

 

Did the LCE bring your torque curve down in the band like Tooter mentions? That's the biggest reason I want the header aside from proper heat channelling threough the exhaust compared to the shitty manifold. I checked today and I have a single cat 2000 3rz so that means I can indeed use the LCE header and just swap manifold back on for smog time

I made my OP assuming I had dual cats like all 2000 Tacoma trucks in CA had. Then I remembered it was a Reno truck originally. yay!

 

All I noticed is just more power everywhere, but I have their exhaust as well so maybe a factor. It barks, spins up quicker, and it doesn't drone at all. It was not cheap for the entire setup (late night beer purchase) but I regret nothing. To me it just feels more responsive and more fun to drive. I have a Porsche for actually driving fast but I love wringing the neck of the truck, it's just fun, especially when it has a great exhaust note. It's the little things in life that matter...