[LifeForLife]

Hi everyone !

My black mk2 came with a parts bin, including what look like an (almost) brand new exhaust manifold... Problem is, there's no branding on it, and the seller didn't know about it either.

Here's a few photos:

Any help identifying is welcome! 😁

@Tanya I've been told by @RedP85 that you have some very extensive knowledge about MK2 parts...

Cheers ! 🙂

 

[LifeForLife]

There might be a 530Y stamp on the exhaust flange (THY-530Y)

AND these are California smog legal BTW

View attachment 22314

There is a 530 stamp in here, and a couple two more

 

[LifeForLife]

Very cool !

Thanks a ton for helping with the ID everyone ! I'll keep the part for when the OEM header cracks then.
I thought it was some weird custom/noname piece, but it looks like it actually holds some good value and potential.

@supraz indeed, the state of Quebec has... Very lenient pollution restrictions... Pretty awesome that you had some photos of another Doug Thorley header ! Looks identical except for the rougher polish on the upper part and painting on the lower part on mine.

Cheers everyone, y'all made my day ! 😁

 

[LifeForLife]

Yep, definitely Thorley. Installed one when I got my car back in '99 or so, ended up selling it to another member here, sure wish I hadn't though. There is a definite difference in the way the car runs with the tri-Y Thorley header, it it noticeably peppier with it, and has a better growl to it, although that depends on the exhaust muffler one installs with it and whether they keep the cat, install a hi-flow cat or eliminate it altogether.

Even in that shape its still worth quite a bit of money, as long as there's no rust or holes or bent pipes. I'd say run it and see if you like it @LifeForLife , but keep the whole oem exhaust system stored away. Some day you'll be happy you have the oem system.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too, keep both and swap during winters to see which I like the best (and if it's the Thorley keep the OEM part).
I'm keeping every bit that can be reusable/rebuilt when I change a part since those OEMs are so scarce for the MK2

And yes, it's absolutely rust and ding free, just the outer "coating" that could be redone (but tbh, why bother when you can barely see the part once mounted ? 😂)

 

[LifeForLife]

@supraz do you know if this header is drop-in ? Or is there any changes required to make it fit an OEM type exhaust line with the OEM cat ?

 

[LifeForLife]

I have the Raptor racing header, I like the sound. Not too loud and I have the matching Raptor Racing exhaust with the cat, the resonator and the single outlet muffler. Sounds way better than stock . More power and responsiveness, not crazy loud until you really get into it and get the revs up past 4000 RPM.
I would love to hear that Thorley.

Maybe you'll be able to before winter ends...
All this talk around headers made me want to try it out... So I started removing the OEM part (which looks very good still).

 

[LifeForLife]

About the only thing that can be an issue is the header flange runs interference with the power steering pump mount.
One has to either relieve the header flange or the mount.
If you are coating the header, you REALLY want to do this before you get the coating applied.

I believe that the O2 sensor will reach without modification.

You will want a new exhaust gasket, O2 sensor gasket, and header collector-to-Cat gasket.

The O2 sensor location works pretty well, so it's about as close to bolt-on as you can get.

Dale

Thanks Dale, that's all the info I needed !

Sadly I was not able to remove the header because of completely seized bolts and nuts at the cat and where the OEM header can be separated in two... I broke the tranny support bolt (looks like it's not really required at least..) and destroyed one of the header to collector nuts...
So overall, not good, had to put everything back together. At least that pesky vibration I was having at low RPMs seems to be gone, probably something loose that I fixed without knowing.

Also I saw some smoke after a quick start and warm up, but seeing where the smoke appeared I think that's just the WD40 and sprayed water evaporating (did not smell like exhaust at all) !

I'll run the car a bit longer tomorrow morning, since I'm not sure the neighbors would appreciate loud revving at midnight !

Cheers

 

[LifeForLife]

Yeah, those bolts and nuts will be a bear to get removed after being on the car for 30+ years. Lots of penetrating fluid and a little heat from a torch should make them a bit easier to remove.

A mechanic friend is coming on Tuesday to help removing the old header (hopefully without breaking more stuff !). At least nothing important broke.

I've also ordered a bunch of gaskets, a set of new studs, a new oxygen sensor (pretty sure the current one is original seeing how black of carbon it was !) and a brand new catalyzer from Rockauto.

Next week is going to be packed 😄

 

[LifeForLife]

WD40 is not that good at penetrating oil on rusted nuts and bolts.
Kroil and BlasterPB are much better at it.

And as mentionned above, nuts & bolts on exhaust system either seize solid, or slowly disintegrate over time from heat cycles. Heat is needed to remove them.

II'm not sure this header/downpipe can be used with the tranny mounted support, but your mechanic should try to free the support of the remaining of your broken bolt.

Guess we'll see if we can get that broken bolt out !
Yeah the new header doesn't have any the same exact shape, so I doubt we'll be able to use the tranny mount anyways...

 

[LifeForLife]

Installation recap of that aftermarket header available... here ! Ongoing small improvements on Black '85 Celica...

 

[LifeForLife]

What a deal getting that thrown in the parts bin.

Feels like I won the jackpot haha !