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Just another ARH LT Review (Pic Heavy)

Discussion in 'Performance and Tuning' started by TX210Tundra, Aug 13, 2020.

  1. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #1
    TX210Tundra

    TX210Tundra [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 RCSB 5.7 2WD "Sport" / 2022 Limited Hybrid
    2008 - SOS 2/4 Lowering Kit : Firestone Bags : Bilstein Sports at 4 corners : TRD Pro Grill : TRD Pro 18in BBS Forged : Grip Pro LSD : Mike's "ByeNanny" : ARH LT 1 3/4 : ARH Cats : 3" X-Pipe: 3" Dual Borla XR1's / 3" Vibrant Resonators: 3" Tail pipes: DIY SABM: TRD Intake : AFE T/B Spacer : TRD Accelerator : LED Interior/Exterior : Atoto Pro HU : Cerwin Vega 10in Slim : AVS Visors : Sequoia Leather Seats : TRD shift Knob - OVTuned "Spicy 91 Torque Tune" 2022 Limited Crewmax Sonic Red Hybrid - TRD Filters : EGR Window Visors : Cheer Dring Android Adapter : RC Bed Cover : RC 1.75 Level Kit : Undercover Swing Case
    So I recently installed some ARH 1 3/4 LT's on my RCSB 5.7. I was on the fence originally but based on feedback here and personal experience on adding LTs on a Toyota V8 I went for it as my plans are to keep it N/A and fun. I researched all I could prior to install so I could prepare myself which definitely helped reduce wrench time. The other thing was my search didnt turn up many pics on the task so I wanted to include some of all angles/tips on those looking for the same I was.

    So lets start with the initial order. I had ordered the "Direct Connect Long System" in size 1-3/4 x 3 online with the 07-09 TRD option for my 08 RCSB. 5 weeks later a 5ft box shows up and excitement begins.


    Even though everything came nicely packaged I still got ding'd :(


    Other thing was they could have washed these at least because not only did I have tool marks everywhere but shavings everywhere.


    My larger concern was I received the wrong mid pipe for driver side. Passenger side is exactly the same 2007-2020 but driver side specific for 2007-2009. I received a 2010+ bummer...


    So I jump on the horn right away to rectify and end up with "Sally" at ARH. He begins to tell me he realizes the order was wrong and wants to pickup everything to replace and timeline given is he will "let me know" and cant tell me any further details so we end the call. I call back later in the day and request to speak to Nick for something more solid. Nick tells me he spoke to Sally and cant tell me anything different but says "Im the owner and will get ish done first thing in the morning" so I feel highly confident im taken care of. Morning comes and I await a communication patiently. Nothing. Weds, Thursday, still nothing. I know lots of people are busy in this time so im trying to be respectful of that so said I will wait till Friday to call back. I call back Friday and spoke to Nick who explains weather took power down all week so ok I totally understand but ask he help me get my truck back on the road please. Told me he will 2nd day air the right mid pipe and 02 bung plugs since mine came with them pre-welded for tuning which was nice.

    2 days later it shows up !


    By then I had already removed my OEM mid pipes and headers. What helped allot was soaking all header bolts in WD-40. If you have the time to pace yourself it makes the whole job easier. Mid pipes took me 45mins and headers 90mins to remove. Each header nut was simply cracking loose and removing with fingers.

    Tools used for removal


    Driver side comes right out. Pro tip on passenger side is remove the upper heat shield while bolted up because it hangs on shock tower with header removal. Also you will need to un-bolt the oil dip stick but do not remove it, just let it flop around :dancingbacon:



    With everything out it was time to clean up our area for install. I soaked CRC on ports overnight and took some sos pads to it the next day and carbon came off easy.


    Comparison of OEM header to ARH LT header


    Use OEM header gaskets, same # for both sides


    Time for install ! You want various sockets and wrenches in 12mm size trust me this is where the real fun begins. Both sides take some repeated approach angles and although very tight fitment they do go in. Driver side is the worse to get seated. Once both headers are seated time to install the OEM nuts with your fingers as most studs are behind the primaries. This is where the use of various sized 12mm wrenches come in handy. Took me 4hrs to get ARH headers installed and all tightened up. Take your time and don't be afraid to tighten header bolts but be cautious on the 6mm EGR bolts as they are thin. Another pro tip here is remove the front wheels to make room for yourself.

    Once in you will see how tight they are, clearance around them is minimal but works.


    Oil dip stick runs close along primary


    Ground clearance is not an issue


    Front 02's require the extensions that are included from ARH. Im a bit paranoid on wires running around exhaust pipes so fasten the O2 wires to heat shield. Rears are tight and require un-mounting the plug from trans to give slack.


    Only real fitment issue is how close my hanger is to each other. It may need adjustment but I was trying for a while to align and give some space.


    The other thing is even though ARH claims "Direct Fit" they do not include collector gaskets for use with our factory exhaust system nor can you use the old ones so had to order some off Amazon for now. It did however bolt up to my self made factory location H-pipe and already planning to build a stainless 3in x-pipe and exhaust to compliment the headers.



    So how does it feel/sound ???

    Im running a 2.5 H-pipe into Aero Turbine mufflers and 2.5 dual exhaust out back. Prior to install I had a great deep growl which increased over RPM but was never raspy or echo sounding. After the ARH LT install and same exhaust this thing is loud AF

    Its nice at idle and below 3k RPM. Once we get above 3500 it starts waving hello and above 5k its yelling to LOOK AT ME ! Seriously though if you dont want loud than you dont want headers. If your goal is power in the form of HP happiness than this will scratch that itch.

    After talking to Keith and understanding the BD trail tune compensates for LTs in the fact it keeps AFR's safe I set my Bully Dog to Trail Tune/Performance Shift/Performance Throttle and and take off for a spirited drive. Monitoring my AFRs on WOT I see 11.80 tops so its doing what I was told nice.

    The extra power is there and I feel it. Its not a neck snapping gain and more of a woh my truck didnt do that before type of difference best I can explain. So next move here is quiet it down some as it rilfes extremely bad and probably the reason Toyota designed the OEM header which was to keep the noise down that the 3UR-FE makes. I now have 2 CEL's P0420/P0430 related to the cats even though I purchased the cat option on my setup so will deal with that next.


    Outside of that im happy with adding long tubes to my Tundra and would do it again. Hope my review helps you :thumbsup:
     
    nags, BenAZ, AircareTundra and 13 others like this.
  2. Aug 14, 2020 at 8:19 AM
    #2
    accutech

    accutech New Member

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    Irvine, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Black Crewmax Platinum
    Pro Comp Pro Runner SS shocks. TRD front and rear sway bars. MB TKO 20x9 (+25 offset) black wheels. Cooper Discoverer ATP 275-65-20 tires. Alpharex LED headlights. Gator EFX Hard Fold Tonneau Cover.
    Looking to do the same. Very nice write up with pictures! Sucks about your mix up with parts but glad you got sorted out. Something to keep in mind I guess.
    Thanks to your write up I’ll be visiting Harbor freight for various 12mm sockets and wrenches.
    Enjoy your beast! I bet it sounds bad a$$!
     
    TX210Tundra[OP] likes this.
  3. Aug 14, 2020 at 8:44 AM
    #3
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I am glad you got it all worked out, and thank you for the pictures & details.

    That was the deal killer for me, I don't want anything louder than what I already have.
     
  4. Aug 14, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #4
    Ace402

    Ace402 New Member

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    2011 Tundra 4x4 SR5
    ADS 2.5 RR front and rear. MCM UCA & Shackles
    I wonder how loud it would be if you did ARH LT's and paired it with a Flowmaster 70 series.
     
  5. Aug 14, 2020 at 9:56 AM
    #5
    Toyotoholic

    Toyotoholic -4Life-

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    Pro suspension, sways
    Nice job! Good write up too. Nice to see some people still have patience to do the work right!
     
    TX210Tundra[OP] and Rex Kramer like this.
  6. Aug 15, 2020 at 11:18 AM
    #6
    Rhubarb

    Rhubarb New Member

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    Those ARH headers look like the quality is top notch. I have installed a set of long tube Tri-Y's (got them unused for real cheap), it was the most annoying header job I have ever done. That with using a Sawzall & clamps, so I did not have to drive anywhere uncorked. It took me a Saturday and Sunday. I wasn't rushing or getting up early, but what a pain. One of the biggest was the smog tube that is collecting gas from each tube, and then it runs right over where most of the upper tube bolts are.

    I LOVE how ARH made one EGR tube off just the one rear tube. That was a very smart design.

    Nice work!!
     
    TX210Tundra[OP] likes this.
  7. Aug 15, 2020 at 11:32 AM
    #7
    Kelvin

    Kelvin New Member

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    You could try short headers instead. Sound increase should be minimal. But a lot would argue that the gains aren’t worth it with short tubes.
     
  8. Aug 15, 2020 at 5:37 PM
    #8
    Rhubarb

    Rhubarb New Member

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    Headers made a big difference on my truck, which is a Crew Max. I can't imagine how quick a RCSB must be from light to light.

    Hey, TX210Tundra, since you just did your header job, do you recognize the shield in this photo? It has been sitting on a shelf w/my original manifolds for a while. I can't remember where it came from when I took all the stock stuff off.

    Thank you.

    exhaust shield.jpg
     
  9. Aug 15, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #9
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I doubt there are any advantages to adding short tubes, only worth it if the factory manifolds fail.
     
  10. Aug 15, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #10
    Silver4x4trd

    Silver4x4trd New Member

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    Jba long tube headers, dirty deeds TRD exhaust (2x24), 19+ Pro lights and grill painted sky silver, TRD rear sway bar, TRD reusable air filter, PnP sliders, pnp full set skid plates, 275/70/18 ko2’s, bully dog bdx (trail setting), c4 hybrid bumper with DD lights(sae fog and driving)
    Love my LT but under a load like towing going up a hill you can really hear the engine Right under your feet. I plan to add dyno mat of something similar because I tow a lot with it. Don’t get LT’s if you want a mild exhaust note under load
     
    Rex Kramer likes this.
  11. Aug 16, 2020 at 4:26 PM
    #11
    TX210Tundra

    TX210Tundra [OP] New Member

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    2008 RCSB 5.7 2WD "Sport" / 2022 Limited Hybrid
    2008 - SOS 2/4 Lowering Kit : Firestone Bags : Bilstein Sports at 4 corners : TRD Pro Grill : TRD Pro 18in BBS Forged : Grip Pro LSD : Mike's "ByeNanny" : ARH LT 1 3/4 : ARH Cats : 3" X-Pipe: 3" Dual Borla XR1's / 3" Vibrant Resonators: 3" Tail pipes: DIY SABM: TRD Intake : AFE T/B Spacer : TRD Accelerator : LED Interior/Exterior : Atoto Pro HU : Cerwin Vega 10in Slim : AVS Visors : Sequoia Leather Seats : TRD shift Knob - OVTuned "Spicy 91 Torque Tune" 2022 Limited Crewmax Sonic Red Hybrid - TRD Filters : EGR Window Visors : Cheer Dring Android Adapter : RC Bed Cover : RC 1.75 Level Kit : Undercover Swing Case

    That looks like the heat shield that goes around the starter which I left in place.
     
  12. Oct 3, 2021 at 9:21 AM
    #12
    sleddogracing

    sleddogracing New Member

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    Great write up! Are you having any heat spots inside or anything melting outside? also curious about this boot in the photo? Any heat damage?

    Thanks

    20200810_074843.jpg
     
  13. Oct 3, 2021 at 3:59 PM
    #13
    TX210Tundra

    TX210Tundra [OP] New Member

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    2008 RCSB 5.7 2WD "Sport" / 2022 Limited Hybrid
    2008 - SOS 2/4 Lowering Kit : Firestone Bags : Bilstein Sports at 4 corners : TRD Pro Grill : TRD Pro 18in BBS Forged : Grip Pro LSD : Mike's "ByeNanny" : ARH LT 1 3/4 : ARH Cats : 3" X-Pipe: 3" Dual Borla XR1's / 3" Vibrant Resonators: 3" Tail pipes: DIY SABM: TRD Intake : AFE T/B Spacer : TRD Accelerator : LED Interior/Exterior : Atoto Pro HU : Cerwin Vega 10in Slim : AVS Visors : Sequoia Leather Seats : TRD shift Knob - OVTuned "Spicy 91 Torque Tune" 2022 Limited Crewmax Sonic Red Hybrid - TRD Filters : EGR Window Visors : Cheer Dring Android Adapter : RC Bed Cover : RC 1.75 Level Kit : Undercover Swing Case

    The angle wasn't the greatest on that pic. Here are updated pics. They have been great with no issues.
     
    sleddogracing[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Oct 3, 2021 at 4:08 PM
    #14
    sleddogracing

    sleddogracing New Member

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    Thanks! It looks good. How much louder are the LTH over stock inside the truck? Im just thinking for long drives.
     
  15. Nov 25, 2021 at 9:03 PM
    #15
    dirtydeeds

    dirtydeeds Exhaust Fabricator Vendor

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    I can make the sound whatever you want it. 760-877-4234

    DirtyDeedsIndustries.com
     

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