New EMSpowered exhaust thread

[zx9r]

Had a small issue with the mount for the cat. Apparently there are two different brackets used between '93 and '97 models (don't know when they changed). The one on mine sits about 3" lower than assumed for the strap welded to the over-the-frame section. Was pretty easy to bend to the right level with my bench vise. Just took a few trips back and forth from the garage to the basement.

Talked to Baktash about it. He is trying to find a '94 in his area to check out to see if they can make a different mount depending on the LC model.

 

[zx9r]

Next section is the muffler. Nothing exciting to report. slide right into place (put the rear pipe over the cross member first). Fit very nicely between the frame and driveshaft. Not even visible from the side.

Reused the existing bracket from the OEM muffler. Lined up perfectly and clearance of the pipe over the frame was fine.

In this pic you can partially see the bracket for the muffler on the left edge.

 

[zx9r]

A couple more from the back coming over the cross member.

 

[zx9r]

And finally, securing the tail.

I have a kaymar rear bumper which doesn't interfere at all.

I'll post my overall impressions in the next day or two after a test drive.

 

[billmiranda]

Baktasht sent me the revised pipe that goes over the frame between the cats and muffler section. He got it expressed to me and I was able to get the whole thing in in about an hour. It fits great.

My only issues,.. and I only mention them as it may bother someone else... the whistle. My LC does whistle but,.. okay it upsets all the neighborhood dogs (actually does,.. pretty funny really) but after the initial day,... wife and I don't even really notice it anymore.

Oh,. and it'll feel like your truck has slowed down,.. it hasn't... with the slightly louder (and deeper) exhaust note... you feel as if something more should be happening when you push that right pedal down sadly,.. it is still a LC.

The fit and finish finally match the level of service provided by Baktasht.

The worst thing you will go through as mentioned above is the removal of the old system. I had to replace studs that broke up front and had to cut off the section after the muffler as the old bolts/nuts just turned into rusty powder.

Bill
TLCA#7390

 

[Ebag333]

My only issues,.. and I only mention them as it may bother someone else... the whistle. My LC does whistle but,.. okay it upsets all the neighborhood dogs (actually does,.. pretty funny really) but after the initial day,... wife and I don't even really notice it anymore.

Interesting. Mine doesn't seem to bother any dogs.

x2 on not really noticing it. It's there, but it doesn't bother me or the .

Oh,. and it'll eel like your truck has slowed down,.. it hasn't... with the slightly louder (and deeper) exhaust note... you feel as if something more should be happening when you push that right pedal down sadly,.. it is still a LC.

I didn't feel like my truck slowed down any, but I did feel like it should be doing more. I noticed that after swapping out the exhaust it turns a lot more heads and people give me smiles and thumbs up. I guess it finally sounds like a truck!

 

[cme4lyt]

Baktasht sent me the revised pipe that goes over the frame between the cats and muffler section. He got it expressed to me and I was able to get the whole thing in in about an hour. It fits great.

My only issues,.. and I only mention them as it may bother someone else... the whistle. My LC does whistle but,.. okay it upsets all the neighborhood dogs (actually does,.. pretty funny really) but after the initial day,... wife and I don't even really notice it anymore.

Oh,. and it'll feel like your truck has slowed down,.. it hasn't... with the slightly louder (and deeper) exhaust note... you feel as if something more should be happening when you push that right pedal down sadly,.. it is still a LC.

The fit and finish finally match the level of service provided by Baktasht.

The worst thing you will go through as mentioned above is the removal of the old system. I had to replace studs that broke up front and had to cut off the section after the muffler as the old bolts/nuts just turned into rusty powder.

Bill
TLCA#7390

Bill,

How does it sound in the truck, drivin' down the interstate or about town ?

One of the issues I'm concerned about with a new exhaust is the added noise in the cab. My LC is 17 years old and the weather seals and stuff arn't what they used to be. I don't want a major 'drone' inside, cannot hear yourself talk type issue !

Thanx in advance...jonathan

 

[little_joe]

I have virtually eliminated the whistle from mine. I used copper gaskets at the exhaust manifold/downpipe, and I rechecked torque on the nuts at that connection. For some reason or other, one had loosened significantly.

I am very pleased with the sound, cruising to the Outer banks this past weekend (4+ hrs at freeway speeds) it was dead quiet. It's a throatier sound around town.

Bill, glad to hear Baktash got you squared away.

 

[billmiranda]

I will not lie,.. the sound is a bit louder inside but to me,.. it is not terribly bad. It's subjective... but my wife doesn't complain either so, that's good.

The sound is not louder than my tires if that helps any,.. and that to me was never really that big a deal with the windows closed either... I run Maxxis mud terrain-type tires on my rig in a 35" size.

Its a deeper tonne.. but that's really at lower speeds,.. I normally run about 65-75 on the highway and you really cannot hear a difference. As Little_joe said,.. it's more around town but,.. it's not objectionable.

I'll be re-checking the torque on it if I'm around this weekend... I find out in the next day or so if I'm going to Afghanistan for a bit so,.. really hoping not to but one of my team members may not have his passport issues resolved and I cant find anyone else that will be able to go.... I REALLY hope he gets his stuff this week.

 

[Cannon88]

Good thread! Thanks for all of the helpful info and insight. Keep it coming!

 

[zx9r]

Agree with comments about deeper sound. I've only had it into town and back so no highway experience yet. Definitely notice the difference when the throttle is opening but once steady state quiets down to nice level.

I've never noticed the whistle before or after. Not sure if that doesn't apply to a '94 and only to newer models. I did use a copper based gasket sealer (permatex) along with the gaskets EMS supplied at the manifold. I reused my O2 sensor gaskets with the permatex since they were only about a year old and looked fine.

Forgot to mention that I replaced two of the manifold studs and used all new locking OEM nuts. Also replaced two of the O2 sensor studs. Turns out they aren't available as a replaceable part from Toyota (come as part of header pipes only) so found closest things I could get (M8 x 1.25) and cut one end down to size to be same length as originals.

After my quick drive found that the over the frame section is coming in contact with the heat shield during acceleration. So going to make an adjustment or two. If that doesn't solve it, I will remove the shield and use the ZeroClearance for this section of pipe like I did over the cat.

 

[billmiranda]

I noticed the same thing with that over-the-frame pipe. I took off the shield and hammered on it a bit but it still slightly touches.. you really only hear it inside due to vibrations... outside you can't notice it. I'll hammer it a bit more if I get a chance... it's just the back portion of it.

I actually used M8 bolts and lock-washers/nuts going to the exhaust manifold. I had them handy and I wasn't crazy about the m8 studs I found at the local store.. Even in these minor items, Toyota stuff just "seems" a little beefier.

Bill

 

[zx9r]

Ended up yanking the aluminum heat shield out after hearing it clang on the pipe occasionally (when hitting potholes, etc). Replaced it with the flexible heat material. I'm thinking it may do a better job of reflecting the heat anyway since this center shield is not insulated like the front most one and the one over the muffler (has some sort of fibrous material pinched in between the two layers of metal).

Pipe is still rubbing but doesn't make any noise now. Still concerned about it wearing a hole thru it so I'll have to check it for a while. I'll also have to see if the heat is more apparent on the floorboard in that area.

Another tip: After removing the O2 sensors and installing them on the new pipes, my check engine light was on. If you disconnect the battery it causes a reset of some of the past reading or settings and the light should go back to normal once reconnected.

 

[NKP Garage]

zx9r, just replied to your PM.

 

[warpdriv]

Thank you for this thread! This is on my to do list.

 

[Wambo]

Hey Guys, just thought I would jump in on this to warn any others looking at purchsing this kit. Don't do It, I waited 4 months to receive the exhaust kit without the gaskets, bolts and clamps, and with the incorrect post cat O2 sensor location. Baktash has refused to send the gaskets or refund the money that I have spent in completing the install.

As for the kit its self, it has a few kinks to be worked out as you can see from the threads concerning this kit. The issues I have had are Fit, O2 location, Vibration due to the kit bolts in without issolation rubber, overly loud and finally the high pitch whistle.

My suggestion, find a local muffler shop and spend the extra money!!!

 

[Ebag333]

Hey Guys, just thought I would jump in on this to warn any others looking at purchsing this kit. Don't do It, I waited 4 months to receive the exhaust kit without the gaskets, bolts and clamps, and with the incorrect post cat O2 sensor location. Baktash has refused to send the gaskets or refund the money that I have spent in completing the install.

While unfortunately the missing parts and incorrect sensor sound accurate, the rest sounds nothing like Baktash. He has done nothing but bend over backwards to work with me on my setup.

Additionally he has offered to send out the correct O2 sensor part to anyone who needs it.

As for the kit its self, it has a few kinks to be worked out as you can see from the threads concerning this kit. The issues I have had are Fit, O2 location, Vibration due to the kit bolts in without issolation rubber, overly loud and finally the high pitch whistle.

Fit is fine. Maybe slightly tight in some spots, but the 80's were not all the exact same from '93 to '97, so it's impossible to make a bolt on kit that fits the exact same for all rigs. Other after market items have the same "issue."


O2 location has been corrected.


I have not had a problem with vibration. I recently had my hard mounts replaced with rubber exhaust hangers. Since I currently have no carpet or 2nd/3rd row seats in my rig, I can hear the exhaust extremely well. After having the hangers swapped the amount of difference it made in vibration was.....zero.

The flex tubing in the Y pipe will reduce most if not all of the vibrations. While there might be some slight vibrations caused, I was unable to distinguish any (going from stock to the new exhaust, then hard mounted hangers to rubber hangers), and I'm pretty sensitive to that sort of thing.


As for overly loud, while it is louder than OEM it's not that much louder. Since I have a stock rig, I've run them side by side, and the difference is not all that much as long as you're not romping on the skinny pedal. Even the has said it's not much difference. It's certainly been published (by myself and others) that it's louder, so why would this come as a surprise to you?


On the whistle, pretty much all 80's have it to one degree or another. Again, it was well published that with this system you'd hear the whistle more clearly. Just like Luke at 4x4 Labs tells you to "enjoy the whistle!" when you cut off the stock resonator to fit his bumper. So this is not unique to the EMS Powered system.

If it bothers you that bad, pony up $50 and get a resonator installed. It'll reduce (or even eliminate) the whistle, and will probably make the system a bit quieter.



Your post is full of FUD. You complain about things that were well published before you bought it. Do you also complain about the poor gas mileage and lack of aerodynamics of your 6k lb full sized brick shaped SUV?.

 

[Wambo]

Ebag, The fact is after many calls and emails I ordered my kit on January 10th, I have still not received the gaskets, bolts or clamps, nor have I received the revised O2 pipe. I was advised of a 6 week delivery its been 16 weeks and I have not received a complete kit. 15 emails, 10 phone messages w/o return and also an email offering my silence if amends where made. NO RESPONSE.

So I am an unsatisfied customer, even if the kit was a perfict all the delays and lack of comunication has made it a negative experiance.

 

[Wambo]

As for the comment "Do you also complain about the poor gas mileage and lack of aerodynamics of your 6k lb full sized brick shaped SUV?. " Give your head a shake!

 

[zx9r]

Have to side with ebagger on this one. As you can see by my experience there were a few things to work thru but Baktash was responsive and never pushed back. I think he genuinely wanted to see satisfaction.

Overall, I am fine with the sound and expected anything with the words "performance" to be a little on the loud side.

I think I have everything adjusted now that I don't hear or feel any vibration.

My only concern at this point is my check engine light comes on after 15-20 min of driving after I reset it and then it stays on until I reset it again. I'm pretty sure it must be due to the O2 sensors somehow, mainly because it would be too much of a coincidence that the light came on right after I exchanged the exhaust. I put new O2 sensors in last summer so I don't suspect they have gone bad but will be taking another look at the connections/wiring again to make sure I don't have an intermittent connection.

Unfortunately Autozone and Advance don't have ODBI meters, only ODBII so can't confirm the codes w/o going to a shop which I hesitate to do just to have them find out it is related to O2 sensors but may have to.