Author Topic: homemade headers (Read 8449 times)

joeshmo · « **on:** Sep 28, 2008, 11:04:09 AM »

i was thinking of making my own, dont really want to spend 400 on a header. whos made them, anything specific i should be going for?

8D3TOY · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 28, 2008, 09:31:33 PM »

Are you skilled at this? I did it once, made a set of fenderwell exit for a 460 Ford. I used some parts from Headers by Ed they sold collecters and flanges pretty much everything you would need, but I doubt you could get Yota stuff from him or if he is even still around. It took me a month and cost three times what I thought I would save, would never do it again. They didnt even turn out good. Have you checked the for sale section here? There was a brand new Downey up for half price. Also try Craigslist I have scored many great deals off that. Good luck.

jimbo74 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 28, 2008, 11:07:35 PM »

it isnt just a matter of slapping a bunch of pipes together -- just buy a header

emsvitil · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 29, 2008, 12:14:06 AM »

Yeah, what happened to Headers by Ed anyway............

I got an exhaust manifold flange of off e-bay so I can eventually make a header.

If you can weld up an exhaust system, you can probably weld up a header with mandrel-bent sections of pipe.

When I had my exhaust manifold off to get it surfaced (and to put threaded inserts in the head with new studs after I broke a couple of studs) I tried to figure out how to run the pipes................. it's trickier than you think...

joeshmo · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 29, 2008, 06:21:44 PM »

i can fab, and i want to try to build as much as i can on my truck, gives me an excuse to get away from the wife to work on it. im planning on copying the design of a header just got to figure out my mesurements. just need to know approx how think should my flange be and how thick of tubing should be used?

joeshmo · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 29, 2008, 06:23:35 PM »

one of the last times i was out in my truck on a night run i went over a rock, bottomed out on my exhaust and broke it. i cant seem to find a shorty header for the 22re, hense the reason i want to make one

Birfailed · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 29, 2008, 07:17:16 PM »

Are you trying to tell us you bottomed out on the exhaust manifold?

Seriously, you've never welded up anything like headers before since your asking so many questions, and you probably don't have the right kind of set up for getting into tube work. Ever try to Mig or Stick some light gauge tubing before? Your gonna burn straight through it. Just go buy the header. Trust us.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 29, 2008, 08:20:16 PM »

I'd gladly build one, but I have both a downey and nwor header now so I'm set. Te51 levin has modified headers to fit his use before and it seemed pretty doable. I know of a good tig welder who built a set of stainless headers for a hot rod and the total cost was around $2500

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 30, 2008, 11:16:09 AM »

search a touch

http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=19CE0EC1-DDB2-4455-AE56-757A3E26F102

http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=1C1E6FC8-372E-4A8F-8C3A-06898E6FFCFC

http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=EE7461AD-4403-4BE4-AD59-CF9FD1E23466

jimbo74 · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 30, 2008, 11:33:47 AM »

do you have the capability of welding thin stainless steel?

would suck to spend all that money on tubing, then find out you can't do it

blackdiamond · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 30, 2008, 11:41:17 AM »

How are planning to determine the tube lengths you want? You could easily build one and gain zero, or actually lose, performance.

jimbo74 · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 30, 2008, 11:57:33 AM »

Quote from: blackdiamond on Sep 30, 2008, 11:41:17 AM

How are planning to determine the tube lengths you want? You could easily build one and gain zero, or actually lose, performance.

some people can and do build their own, and more power to them..... but there actually is a means to the madness...... it isnt just a matter of slapping pipes on a flange, and if you dont do it right, it can actually restrict the motor....

gotta ask yourself if it's worth doing damage jsut to try and save a couple bucks, buying all the stuff to make your own isn't cheap either.... and you can find good used headers for $100 if you are patient

94MtnYote · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 30, 2008, 07:54:29 PM »

You could buy a quality used header, copy the design and then resell the used header.
I purchased one new from LCE a while back and I'm happy with it. the amount of r & D it would to make my own is not worth it.

porkchop · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 06, 2008, 04:52:48 AM »

he is wishing he would never said anything about making a header i bet.........lol

8D3TOY · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 09, 2008, 07:28:47 PM »

I am all for doing it yourself thats why I tried it but I am also all for learning from others. For me it was agonizing, you may enjoy it, but don't take some of the responses here as being harsh they are just trying to help steer you away from mistakes that have already been made. If you do it post up your results good or bad.

olemisstoy88 · « **Reply #15 on:** Oct 09, 2008, 07:51:13 PM »

If you want a cheap header you can get a hedman one for like under 200 shipped from autozine, summit or anywhere like that, just know that it will prolly wearout sooner than a quality one from LCE or other toyota specilizing places

olemisstoy88 · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 09, 2008, 07:52:59 PM »

It a good thing you asked that here and not on pirate4x4. they will tear you up for asking simple questions. Here we are just trying to give you the been there done that before you do the same.

8D3TOY · « **Reply #17 on:** Oct 16, 2008, 08:41:03 PM »

No doubt, I was reading a post on pirate where they flamed the guy because he was running 33's on his truck and never really gave him a straight awnser to his original question. I like it here.

joeshmo · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 17, 2008, 08:36:35 PM »

thanks for the input, i appreciate the help here, alot better than pirate 4x4 where it seems if you dont know it all you get flamed. ended up with a hooker header from a local board for cheap. anything i should be aware of? hooker header wise

Birfailed · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 20, 2008, 08:27:00 AM »

Quote from: olemisstoy88 on Oct 09, 2008, 07:52:59 PM

It a good thing you asked that here and not on pirate4x4. they will tear you up for asking simple questions. Here we are just trying to give you the been there done that before you do the same.

Amen

boggerunner · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 20, 2008, 09:10:50 AM »

dont get it hot, then splash it in the water, thats how my pace cracker to

TacoRunner · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 23, 2008, 09:43:36 PM »

LC Engineering has a kit that you purchase to do just this. Comes with flanges and pre bent tubing.

http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebGear/ProductSearch.aspx?Class=1545&Page=3

94MtnYote · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 31, 2008, 10:22:37 AM »

funny how this kit is way more than buying a pre made header, looks like a hassle

kneedownnate · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 31, 2008, 07:11:46 PM »

The flange is only $33 though, and tubing won't cost you a whole bunch. Collector might cost a bit more depending on how you go. Tri-y wouldn't be too hard to make, and a 4 into 1 shouldn't be too spendy either if you go that way.

joeshmo · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 01, 2009, 08:28:05 AM »

what it all cames down to then is, how much is your time worth

kneedownnate · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 01, 2009, 03:04:39 PM »

I don't value my own time when working on my own projects. I've put about 20 hours into smoothing out 1 side panel for my street bike, and friends said I was wasting my time and would have been ahead just buying a new one. I don't see it that way, because I don't pay myself and can't put a dollar amount on my time. If I only put $5 and 20 hours into fixing a part that will cost me $440, I'm way ahead in my eyes!

The pride I would take in making a bitchin header would far outweigh any time I put into it.

germ · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 11, 2009, 01:25:23 PM »

I always have to consider what my time is worth. If it's something that I just plain do for my own entertainment purposes, or I'm trying to learn a new skill, then it's totally different. If it's a repair or something that I don't want to do or have the time to do, then it's often "cheaper" to let someone else do it or buy the part. In my mind, it's always a part of the equation.

rage · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 16, 2009, 09:26:44 AM »

my bro has a hooker header on his 83, and it takes as much abuse as the truck does. 100,000mi and still has no leaks, and we are a bunch of mud puddle freaks.

edit: haha that rhymed

joeshmo [OP]

joeshmo [OP]

joeshmo [OP]

joeshmo [OP]

Related Topics