aspade01

My passenger side manifold cracked and I'm trying to find headers.
I can not find anybody that makes them.
JC Whitney lists 6, but after calling them they told me that was an error and they actually had none that would fit.
I saw the 7 year old thread about JBrady's custom headers and those look AWESOME!
Does anybody know where I can get a set of new or used headers?
Does anybody even manufacture them?
I have a guy that is willing to make me a custom set for around a grand, but I'm looking to spend more like half a grand (plus or minus a little).

Cashflo

iTrader: (1)

PM Me. I may have some ideas.

Mugen_1

S&S Headers used to make them for our cars, but they went out of business back in '09 if I recall correctly. Finding a used set might prove difficult.

aspade01

I've noticed.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

nothing for 89-97 anymore, though PPE can make a set for the '98+ if you ask them. hit them up and see if they'll make you a set for your '95? header fitment is different though iirc.

www.car-part.com will help you find some used oem ones.

aspade01

I'm not really interested in finding oem manifolds because they look horribly designed.
If its going to cost me $400-$500 for stock manifolds, then I'd rather spend a little more for headers. Actually I'd be willing to spend a lot more, but I'd rather spend a little more.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

you shouldn't be spending more than $100-150/manifold, maybe 250/set at most, shipped

aspade01

Oh, I checked out Lexus first so... a little less than I thought.
Either way, these exhaust systems seem extremely inefficient.
I would be fine spending one to two grand replacing the entire exhaust system, but it has air suspension and guess what... its going bad.
I'm converting the suspension and I have to replace the windshield and driver side door handle.
I really want to dive head first into the exhaust, but these things won't let me.

aspade01

Also, I've always referred to manifolds as passenger side and driver side, but all these websites refer to them as left side and right side.
Which one is which? It depends on the perspective. I assume it means looking towards the engine from the front with would be passenger/left & driver/right. Am I right?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Are you planning on future performance engine work? To go through this exhaust work on a stock motor is spending $$ for minimal gains. With the AS needing replacement, your expenses may just be beginning if there is other corrective work needed. I'm just thinking you will be dropping some big $ and the practicality becomes a thought if the base needs lots of attention.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

driver=left
pass.=right

you can always call and confirm.

aspade01

The car is in great shape, but to my understanding Lexus owners should avoid AS or if they can't avoid it convert it.
Not all of my air struts are going bad, but its a habit of mine that when one of my struts starts going bad I replace all of them. I'd much rather have some regular shocks and springs or even some coilovers than AS. It is going to irritate me having a height high/norm switch that does nothing.
The only other things wrong with the car are being replaced asap. The windshield, door handle ($139!), cd player, and antenna.
The antenna isn't moving like its supposed to, but I can hear the motor trying to move it. I originally planned on replacing this, but I'm thinking about converting the antenna to a shark fin. No moving parts seems much more appealing to me.

Also, I've always been a big fan of exhaust note. I don't care too much about power on a car this size. I did the same thing to a 96 4.6L Thunderbird I owned a couple years back, just for the exhaust note. I didn't think it would really help, but I did take a mildly built civic hatch my friend owns... then he brought out his GSR and well.

After looking at the exhaust system I do disagree that the gains would be minimal. It has several every restrictive spots. It almost seems like they designed the exhaust systems on these to specifically make it as hard on the engine as possible.

My long term plan is headers (obviously), relocate cats (any suggestions), remove resonators (assuming that's what the other two muffler looking things are called), get rid of Y pipe and make true dual, replace mufflers with magnaflows, then sit back and listen to the orchestra.

I would expect with this setup to gain 30-40hp at least. It really depends on the headers.

I was thinking about adding a custom twin turbo setup on it in a couple years, but from what I've seen these things can put out some pretty impressive power naturally aspirated.
I wouldn't be building it this year, I would have to get another car and since this is my fourth this year... I better wait awhile less I have divorce papers in hand.

aspade01

You see that makes since to me too because from the perspective of the engine driverside would be left. Why can't these companies keep it simple?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Go for it
Start up a build thread so we can see the progress.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

it is simple. that site serves more than just the US, so driver/pass is more subjective than right/left.

a full exhaust + headers won't net you those gains, you would need some sort of fuel controller and a proper tune to get the most out of it.