American Racing Header Install and Review

Remember...the engine is nothing more than a fancy air pump.
The 1 3/4 is understandably better for a stock intake.
In the cases where someone is running a SC, or nutty enough to port the heads, custom intake, or anything else that puts more air in the cylinder, then it makes logical sense you would then need more scavenging of the exhaust...hence the better application of the 1 7/8.

No matter the application and set up; any hp gains will be realized and/ or maximized to their fullest so long as you have effective scavenging that pulls enough hot, exhaust gas out and downstream, while maintaining good (but not to much back pressure). This is best achieved with a good downstream exhaust system (rebuilt cats, x-pipe, muffler, etc.). Wrapping/ insulating the headers will also help, by maintaining exhaust temps further downstream.

@swank501
Did ARH have/ give any thoughts or recommendations on wrapping the headers before the install?

 

Yep true. The one thing that peaked my interest was he claimed +3 mpg on his test vehicle. Not sure if you have had enough wheel time to confirm or deny any increases. I'm sure it would take me a while to settle down on flat footing my gas pedal after install...

 

Hah! no way i would see that right now. I love the sound this thing makes now. I'll check back after the honeymoon!

 

DAP posted this on FB a while back.

@osidepunker

 

So our trucks have a 30% drivetrain loss according to 1st Dyno yikes !?!?

Driveshaft made from rubber bands or what...

 

Dustin says his dyno reads low compared to others.

 

Nick told me that my factory exhaust manifolds would fall apart, and that he thought replacement manifolds were discontinued so I may as well replace them with his headers... that was a big turn off for me.

 

Well it seems to me that if they want to charge this much for headers that they would have some actual dyno charts out there. The lack of data on these is a big turn off for me. And if they are going to offer two different sizes, they should clearly explain the difference and back that up with hard data

haha I'm trying to do my own research, but it turns out there is nothing to research; no data. Just a bunch of rumors and he said/she said

 

His words...

 

While I am a fan of the American Racing headers, I wasn't impressed with Nick when I spoke with him. My headers were sent with a bag of random parts and no explanation of what the parts were for. I spoke with him on the phone, and neither he or any of his staff had any idea what the parts were. Referred me to Dustin at DAP for installation questions.

His youtube promo video is a joke as well. Trying too hard to be a salesman.

 

I really didn't like that video. Tell me about the positive characteristics of your products, that all I'm interested in.

 

The sign of a weak-ass salesman is his willingness to talk shit about the competition.

 

Indeed. I got the impression that he didn't really know much about the product when it came to the Tundra application. I know a year ago they weren't aware their midpipes weren't compatible with the 38 gallon tanks. A few guys ran into a similar situation as OP where they they couldn't finish the install until AR came up with a solution.

 

Woh that was his video ! LoL ! I remember watching it a while back and thought it was a parody of some sort. I totally agree if a product is put out to the public there needs to be data behind it and not a reference to another who isn't affiliated. I'm more interested in how these headers performed on a stock engine w/o tune as that's more real world for customers. I know a tune extracts more efficiently but I don't want to buy a $2k set of headers to have to shell out another $500 for a tune to match said gains. I simply want reliable gains on 87 octane that I can drive 100k miles on. That's what keeps me in the Toyota brand.

 

Wow, he really referred you to Dustin to answer questions about installing ARH headers? That’s crazy! SMH!
And that video he did is a joke. Give us some info about your product, I don’t care what you think about other products.

 

https://tundraheadquarters.com/should-toyota-tundra-headers/

 

As did I.

 

This^^
That's what I'm looking for. Headers offer a serious power boost and better power band without the headaches of a super charger.

 

That article is seriously outdated. I've seen dyno charts of some LT headers making lots of power. I have also driven/ridden in trucks with LT headers and you can definitely feel the increase. Stock intake, headers, and 3" exhaust and you are dramatically increasing performance.

 

It is sometimes good to look back, so you can see how far we've come.

 

very true!

 

I haven't given up on LT headers and a 3" exhaust for my truck, not yet.

 

I'm really back and forth with myself over ARH and JBA. I would go JBA just because of cost. But I am willing to pay more for quality. Only problem is ARH doesn't have any data out their yet to convince me that they are better or worth the extra cost

 

Agreed, and I have an added concern about fitment on my regular cab short box. That and the sound volume, I don't want a LOUD exhaust.

 

fitment where? the cat back portion? Mine will need to be dumped before the rear axle so I'll have a custom cat back made.

as for sound, @papasmurf has a JBA LT with 3" catback and dual 8" mufflers and its pertty damn loud haha too much for me

 

Mine will also require a custom cat back dumping ahead of the axle, ARH claims to have a direct connect system that fits the '07 to '09 RCSB (shorter drivers side mid pipe) but I have not seen the part number yet.

 

Are they actually stating this now? They do have the fixture for this midpipe now, so i assume you can order it. Nick also told me that, while they do not have a direct fit catback for the RCSB, that you can shorten the pipes upstream of the mufflers and it will fit. But this means you will have to cut and weld. Also, it adds another 2k to the system cost.......

 

I am not interested in their cat-back or tail pipes, I am looking only at their direct connect long tube headers. It is supposed to bolt right up to the factory cat-back & tail pipe.

I posted the question on their Facebook page, here is the answer:

 

Cool, yeah i was only stating for info. In terms of the midpipe, yes you should be able to order it now. They built the fixture off the mess i sent them and i have the first production unit from that fixture. it fits perfect.