Recommendations for '21 Headers and Exhaust System?

Hey everyone, I'm looking for an increase in torque for towing on my '21 SR5 Trail. Headers / exhaust seem to check that box and don't break the bank like a super charger.

I did some searching, but seems like there are a lot of combinations out there and I'm pretty new to this space. JBA seems to be the go-to, but looks like a lot of other parts that need to be added on from there.

What I'm looking for:
Pass emissions
Not crazy loud (wife/ kids/ daily driver)
Not void 2021 factory warrantee (Toyota dealer do the install if that's possible)

Appreciate any suggestions on a kit or parts list that I need to buy.

Thanks so much!

@dirtydeeds feel free to weigh in

 

You'll get mixed reviews on headers for these rigs but if I were to do it would be these linked below.

https://stainlessworks.net/by-vehicle/toyota/tundra/

 

Yep or those ^

 

When I first got my Tundra I asked about engine performance upgrades. I wasn't interested in a super charger. The dealer said not to waste money on a full exhaust or an air box. They said that the little performance increase wasn't worth the money. But they recommended a two in two out muffler with duals. They also said a tune would be great but to be careful of going to extreme.

 

Wow! That's great.

 

Most of this subject is covered and best searched for in here.

https://www.tundras.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.48/

 

Ok, I am in for a @dirtydeeds 10" cat back. Keith claims it adds 10-20 lb-ft torque. Looks like an excellent easy bolt on, and the price was right to get me a little boost when towing / help offset my new bigger tires. I'll save headers and anything bigger for down the road after the truck is out of warrantee.

Thanks to the forums for all the advice! Great video that explains it all, if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxsQElSbJTs

 

American Racing Headers are awesome! Great quality and fitment!
If....I was every to add headers to my Tundra, I'd go with American Racing.

I do, however, plan on purchasing the Dirty Deeds 8" catback setup for my Tundra soon. I'm just trying to decide if I go exhaust or wheels/tires first....

Mike

 

I say add the wheels/ tires first, then you have an excuse to add the exhaust to gain some power back

 

^^^^
Kinda what I'm thinking too....

Mike

 

An exhaust won’t come close to making up for bigger wheels n tires. You’d want gears for that.

wheels an tires bigger than stock loses about 40hp. While a correct race system gains 49hp and 89tq to the rear wheels over stock, that’s at full throttle. The gains are smaller at lower rpm and lower throttle position. While race exhaust is good for gains across the board, they’re bigger at higher rpm

bigger wheels n tires lose power all the way across the board. At all times. Only gears can fix this

 

^^^THIS^^^

The best response I’ve seen on here, ever.

Our trucks are geared pretty tall, in the manufacturer’s attempt to eek as much economy (ha!) out of them. It’s borderline lugging with no added load, and can really benefit from a little more RPM.

Keith has a big write up on how this doesn’t equate to lower mileage, so I won’t try to rehash it other than saying that the truck loves it.

If you’re staying under 33” tires, put in 4.88. 34” or bigger? 5.29 all day long. Never look back….

 

For sure, having to regear is the biggest reason I only went with 33s on stock 18s. One day I’ll go bigger, do a regear, and supercharge. For now, modest affordable upgrades that don’t totally gimp the truck. Excited to get my @dirtydeeds exhaust! Keith really knows his stuff.

 

I have the 8” DD on my 4.6 Tundra. I definitely picked up a lot of low end torque, spinning the tires is really easy from a stop. Sounds great also.

 

Hmmm… long tube headers should be put on when I put the motor mounts on

 

So you just went on past all security, you have to be a pro!!

 

Wanted to follow up on this thread. Finally got my @dirtydeeds 10” on.

First, wow, what a difference in power. Truck feels unbridled. MPG seems to be improved as well.

Ran the exhaust without the resonator for a bit, and tbh, there was a lot of drone. Then I added the resonator, and what a difference! Resonator is a must!

Loving this exhaust, highly recommended!

 

(Supercharged application) About to buy either ARH or SW full kits. What is interesting is that I think the SW kits are all necked down flanges so either the headers or catback works in isolation with stock components, but in a full kit application this seems like a bad design. Whereas ARH has a kit specifically for this with full diameter flanges, I think I will contact SW and see if this is an option for a custom order (I think SW deal single side exhaust is a great design). I am also curious what internal muffler design these two kits are using (pass through or baffled etc.). Full DD race exhaust would be awesome but that doesn’t seem to be an option anymore (possibly custom order though).

 

ARH also necks down. We can modify the ARH mid pipes easily and build a bolt on race system for use with ARH mids. We already have a fixture set up to do so and have done a few.
https://youtube.com/shorts/xrfpgO8Tf2M?feature=share

 

That sounds terrific

 

Still my favorite video to date.... @dirtydeeds

https://youtu.be/0_V96GpeIy8

 

Oh sweet that’s a great idea. I’ll call pretty soon and get this ordered. Hoping to get a similar sound level to a standard 8” that I have had (but with only two high flow cats guessing the mufflers have to be bigger). ***For offroad use only of course!!!***

 

Exactly!

 

Does the ecm reduce power for ALL bigger tires or is it weighted to the increase? Have you seen the computer freak out the same with a small jump just like with 35’s? For example

 

You lose the same 40hp for 33’s as you do for 35’s. My testing has indicated that anything bigger than stock, loses 40hp

 

I certainly can’t argue that larger tires rob power to the ground, but it seems very plausible that 35’s would generate more loss than 33’s.

What horsepower would you typically expect to see on a dyno with a 100% stock truck?

 

35s absolutely feel more sluggish than 33s, as you’re in an even worse rpm band per given speed. What keith is referring to is an actual decrease in power production at the engine as a result of the computer sensing increased load in the truck as the bigger tires are tricking it I believe is how @dirtydeeds has described? It’s not just a felt issue

 

Ahhh. Gotcha. I was thinking just the physical part, not the tune part and lack of communication between stuff.

That part I believe! I know it was much nicer with my 34’s after installing 5.29’s, and that much better again after getting my HP Tuner and letting the computer know that I have tires and gears.

 

Your argument is solid. However, it’s incorrect. A tundra sees a lower wheel speed in relation throttle position. It doesn’t know why. It just knows the wheel speed is lower. And it knows the throttle position is higher. That’s it.

this changes the load table onto one which commands less timing. And more fuel. That’s what causes the loss of Hp.

the tires themselves mechanically cause a horsepower loss too. But it’s not 40hp. And the difference between the mechanical loss of 33’s V 35’s is negligible.

 

Yup. Agreed. I had a bit of a brain fart, and misinterpreted what you were saying. I got hung up on the mechanical part of the equation.

Big tires = Good
Big tires with gearing = Better
Big tires with gearing and tuner = Best