Are Doug Thorley Headers worth it?

I’ve got a pretty bad exhaust leak and am looking into getting new headers soon. I know the go too upgrade is Doug Thorley long tube headers, but I need would need some convincing to spend the 1200+ dollars. Should I just buy and OEM replacement, or are there other brands that make a nice set of headers?

 

I would buy the moderately priced option, or a used set from a low mileage vehicle.

 

Junk yard.

Don't need anything else.

 

I thought most 03-09 4Runners have cracked manifolds anyway, so would it be a waste of time to fish them out of a junkyard. Also I’ve looked at all the junkyards somewhat close to me and none of them have 4th gen 4Runners. Guess they are hard to kill ‍♂️

 

Well if you want to cough up $1200 for "performance" headers go for it.

I'd spend the couple hundred on used ones and keep on truckin. You asked if the Thorley headers were worth it.

On a stock 4R absolutely not.

 

I’m getting 33s, lifting it, and adding a roof rack and winch within the next couple of months, would that make them worth it since it wont be stock. I just can’t stand the noise it makes when it leaks, and if I’m already in there taking the exhaust off and probably snapping studs, should I just do the headers then. I’m new to this 4Runner stuff, and I’ve just heard the only permanent fix to the badly designed headers are upgraded ones.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! You would be further ahead to get OEM type exhaust manifolds.. used, or new. Did you try Rock Auto? The headers you're talking about are expensive, will not increase performance, and are going to rot away quicker. You also have no other engine mods to make them work correctly, like raised compression, air and intake increased, cam, etc. Dillusion is right... not worth it.

 

Welcome. As mentioned above headers aren't really a benefit with nothing else done to the engine needing the extra "breathing room". You do you, but unless you go force induction not really a benefit numbers wise. No ROI to be had there. Dead horse...your money your truck.

 

I don't know where you're located, but if emissions is a thing you need to comply with i would go new OEM. Arent the catalytic converters attached to the manifolds (OEM)? I don't know if i would trust some junkyard manifolds no matter the mileage if it had to pass SMOG. I've heard manifolds are hard to do on the 4.7L so i'd hate to have to do it twice.

 

Well seeing as I'm the only person so far with a 4th gen to answer you, I'll give a biased opinion from the other end of the aisle. I've personally been to shops with tweaked 4runners, I own a V8 4runner myself, I see do,end every month (I love in western Canada), I've heard more success stories then not with the DT headers. If you're going to invest in headers, opening up your exhaust system, and high flow cats + a tune have yielded very good results for people. Ive met a few who have had oxygen reprogrammers, others with tune shop computer reworks and more with DT short headers and O2 spacers. All have reported noticable gains, and you can look up two different reputable sources for dyno results on stock VS DT headers and stock VS DT headers + tune. Unlike cold air intakes, these items wouldn't sell if they were shit. There was a batch in 2020 ish that wasn't proper SS with ceramic coating but they fixed it.

 

@Okanagan4runner

So, are they worth it?

 

@Acesandeights if you are using your 4runner as a daily driver for your office job and taking the family on trips, especially with kids, stick with OEM, why bother messing with anything. If you've got pennies to spend, want a meaner sounding toy, are willing and able to work on a few other peripheral parts to help it (free up / high-flow the rest of your exhaust system, tune, maybe a 91 octane tune, etc) then yes I would say so. Enough that I'm ordering the parts and attempting it myself before winter. Based on my reading and folks I've talked to with the worked I've talked about done, there were many issues with the headers and engine codes....5-6 years ago. There are multiple fixes now. Check out Yotawerkz, and yotagenics. They do tunes, look at their reviews and demos. You can check out EngineeringEnigma on YouTube, he does multiple upgrades to his 4th gen, with VERY clear videos.