doug thorley or lc engineering header?

[woodyth]

Trying to decide which one to buy. Going to replace my exhaust in steps and this will be the first step. I DO NOT want it to be loud at all!
also taking suggestions for mufflers/exhaust systems.

Thanks

[Rocksurfer]

I don't think LCE has street legal headers and Thorley's can be so it would depend on that factor for you, LCE's cost less than Thorley. So if you need to smog your rig either now or possibly in the future (more and more states are requiring checks) then it could be a concern.

[woodyth]

I know down in Vegas, they have to be compliant but up here in the REST of the state of Nevada, we do not.  Cheapness is nice, but design and functionality are also things I think about. Also the ceramic coating on the thorley reduces heat and I know how hot it gets here so even 10 degrees matters!

[Rocksurfer]

Arizona just defeated a smog law that would have brought them to CA. levels and requirements, but they were on the edge of getting it made law throughout the state. Currently you only have to smog in Maricopa County and the main reason it failed was economics.

[Cheng Lo]

LCE do have carb legal headers for use in California.  It appears to be a complete kit.

[79coyotefrg]

I like them both.  just make sure you don't neck it down to the extremely anemic stock exhaust tube.  use a good quality muffler but make sure it has a minimum 2 inch inside diameter.  If you went to 2 1/4 inch inside diameter you'd get better response from the engine but you would be a little louder. However thats where the "good quality muffler" comes in. 

[Uncle Jesse]

I was always told that for torque you should go with the tri-y design that thorley has.  The 4 into 1 that lce uses is supposedly better for mid to higher rpms.  Either way, I don't really think it will matter much.  It's been a while, but I had used thorleys in the past.  The one thing I never liked about them was the "welded o-rings" used.  Basically they welded the tube to the header flange from the back and then ground the weld into an "o-ring".  I don't think it is a great design for sealing.  On top of that, it basically spaced the header out from the head by an 1/8" or so, except in the middle where there was no "o-ring".  It took alot of playing around to figure out that if you torqued those center bolts down, it would warp the flange and make the header leak at the ends.  A simple washer on the stud between the head and header fixed this, but it is still a dumb design to begin with.  On the flip side, the lce is designed to use a stock gasket and "I think" uses a thicker flange.

[woodyth]

 Thanks guys for the responses. I am thinking about going with the lce street. I will report back with my opinions. Anyone got any coupon codes for lc engineering?  Is that the only place you can order it from?

[79coyotefrg]

Thanks guys for the responses. I am thinking about going with the lce street. I will report back with my opinions. Anyone got any coupon codes for lc engineering?  Is that the only place you can order it from?

its the only place I would order from

[Prismo]

Use a remflex gasket when you install whatever you buy & leakage will not be a problem

[tgmaul88]

id go doug thorley  tri header

[Blackulua]

I have both type of headers with custom 2 1/4" and flowmaster mufflers and Ive installed them on stock exhaust gasket and no leak issues and they are both great headers but maybe for durabilty the LCE is made out of stainless  steel and ceramic coated and have owned these since they first came out.
you really cant go wrong on either headers as a daily driver.

[woodyth]

WOW I really like the look of the Thorley, Good thing I'm still deciding err my wife is deciding LOL It's my Birthday present!