If you have a 3rz-fe 4runner, do you have a cast iron manifold and is it CA spec?

My first post here in a while. Since last post I've discovered that the cast iron exhaust manifold on my 1997 3rz-fe is cracked. I have been preparing for the mini-header swap.

The mini-header is a metal manifold that came on some 3rz 4runners, but the cast iron manifold like mine came on all pre-1999 3rz 4runners (they are known to crack). Starting in 1999 3rz 4runners came with 2 possible manifold designs. There is the old cast iron manifold (PN 17141-5030 which I am going to call the 5030 manifold design), and the new metal manifold (17141-5080 which I will call 5080 manifold). The 5080 manifold is a common upgrade for those of us with cracked exhaust manifold.

If you look at a Toyota parts website for a 1999 or 2000 ( the only model years where both manifolds were sold on 3rz 4runners), only the 5080 manifold is classified as a low emissions CA compliant design. The old 5030 manifold is simply a federal emissions spec, meaning it is only meant to pass less stringent federal emissions testing.

Does anyone know if Toyota sold the 3rz-fe in a 4runner in California before 1999?

Can anyone confirm that the 5080 manifold came on California spec 4runners when new?


You can tell if your vehicle is a California spec either by reading the window sticker, or looking for a paper stuck onto the bottom of the hood that will say whether the 4runner is intended to pass CA smog.