Performance exhaust

[Stupendousmanz]

I want to put a more aggresive sounding and better performing dual exhaust w/headers on my 97 3.4. I have checked every brand i can find (flowmaster, edelbrock, gibson...) but none of them make kits for my truck.

['03DC3.4TRD4X4]

A dual exhaust system on your 3.4 would likely actually cause a decrease in useable torque. Consider high quality headers (TRD or NWOR) but from the cat on back, anything bigger than about 2 1/4" will cause a power loss.

[masterfong]

http://www.gadgetonline.com/exhaust.htm

This guy tried out a few things. You might be interested in reading about his experience with different exhaust systems.

[TRD_STEVE]

I have an easy question which I could not find the answer in any of the threads. I have a 2004 TRD. I am thinking about adding a 40 series flowmaster muffler. However, I keep reading where TRD exhaust is the way to go. Does my stock TRD have TRD exhaust? What I am leading to is would it be beneficial to swap my stock TRD muffler for a 40 series flowmaster muffler if I simply want a slightly louder rumble? Not sure if my stock muffler is better. Thanks.

[redtoy92]

Originally Posted by TRD_STEVE

I have an easy question which I could not find the answer in any of the threads. I have a 2004 TRD. I am thinking about adding a 40 series flowmaster muffler. However, I keep reading where TRD exhaust is the way to go. Does my stock TRD have TRD exhaust? What I am leading to is would it be beneficial to swap my stock TRD muffler for a 40 series flowmaster muffler if I simply want a slightly louder rumble? Not sure if my stock muffler is better. Thanks.

the 40 will sound much better then stock. NO the trd truck doesn't come with the trd exhuast. that kits runs 550 for your truck. do the 40 series and see if you like it! red

[TRD_STEVE]

Thanks a million redtoy92. I've had flowmasters before and loved it so I'm sure that will be the right move. The price will be much better than the TRD kit too! Looking forward to it. Thanks again!!!

I have installed stainless step bars, ARE fiberglass bed cover, and very dark tint and love the looks of my off-roader.
I have one more issue that I need to resolve if anyone can help. This is not the right thread, but no one is answering in the right one so I'll throw it at you for the hell of it. I bought a pair of Generation3 tail lights (carbon fiber 02) off eBay for about $70. They are by some company called Yangsten. I love them because they blend in with my silver paint very nicely. They were supposed to simply plug in to the wiring harness and made for 2000 and up. They aren't working right because the wiring at the harness is just a tad off. Comparing the stock wiring to the after-market wiring, the passenger side tail light matches and works. However, the left side has two jumper wires which don't match and it causes my left signal, left license plate light, and left tail light to not work. My local "Rick's Pro Trucks" state that they aren't sure how to fix this technical issue. I'm pretty definite that Toyota will not work on them since they are not Toyota brand. I will still ask during my next oil change/rotations. Again, I love the lenses! Any suggestions? Electrician? Custom Audio shop? I'm not sure, but guess I can call around. I just have a feeling that it is one of those issues where people are dumb-founded. Any advice may help!

[taco2k3]

I ran into this same problem with aftermarket tail lights on my 2003. I noticed the aftermarkets had 5 contacts in the plug while the stock tail lights had 6 contacts. I'm not electrician but I simply did a stare and compare on the wiring. I backed out one of the stock contacts and spliced it into my aftermarkets and that did the trick.
I also just had a Flowmaster 50 installed with a chrome tip. I should have done it a year ago when I bought my double-cab. This would be the first modification I would recommend to any V6 Tacoma owner.

[TRD_STEVE]

Way to go, you have put me back on track with the thread topic. This is great informataion!
What is the difference between a Flowmaster 40 series and a Flowmaster 50 series?

taco2k3 - Did you have to do that to one harness or two? My left (driver's) tail lens is the problem. Both pairs of my plugs have 6 contactors. Passenger side worked fine. How about yours?

[taco2k3]

I was hearing so many recommendations about what Flowmaster Series to use. I've read how some guys have used 40's and some 50's. I even called 2 muffler shops and got 2 different recommendations - one suggested a Series 60 and 2nd muffler shop suggested Series 50. Needless to say I was confused. I finally called Flowmaster's Tech line 1-800-544-4761 and they recommended the Series 50. I figured who would know best...
Anyway I love my new muffler, easy 10+ horsepower gain!!!

If you already have 6 contacts on each of your aftermarket tail lights then it would sound to me that they may not be wired properly. Take your time and simply compare the wiring to your stock tail lights. You may be able to correct yourself this way.

[bigpun]

poke holes in your intermediate pipe slick

[TRD_STEVE]

I opted for the 40 series Flowmaster at my local shop for about $100. Apparently, there is a guy who works there on Saturday who may be able to fix my tail lights. :-)
I imagine all of the Flowmaster series sound good in in different ways. I have already discovered that my 40 series sounds best in 3rd gear. Puts out a sound to let people know I mean business and I'm comin' thru! I think I've probably caused a couple of elderly heart attacks by mistake.
Thanks for everyone's help. You dudes rock!

[tacoma man]

BORLA EXHAUST sounds excellent, i have a 2.7 liter and
i strapped a turbo charger on it and it sounds just like the
supra from fast and the furious. its a little bit expensive
but its worth it.

[coloradotaco]

I put a Gibson Cat Back on my '00 V6. I wanted a stainless system and didn't want to spend $500+ for a TRD or Borla. I'm kind of disappointed, it isn't much louder than the stock exhaust and it was a cheesy install. They have you cut the intermediate pipe 17" from the muffler instead of running all the way to the rear flange on the cat. Performance isn't improved much either.