aFe Y-Pipe (48-46006) or URD Mark 2 Y-Pipe

I hope I get a few bites on this because I cant seem to find anyone with a similar setup or a comparison of the 2 pipes.

Ive read through the endless amounts of exhaust threads and now here I am adding to the pile!

My Taco is N/A and im trying to avoid losing noticeable low end torque and raspy/droning issues.
biggest performance additions...(sounds great right now)
- aFe CAI Momentum
- OV Tuned
- TRD Exhaust (PTR3135131): reading other forums I believe the pipe is 2.5"

Y-Pipes:

aFe $536 - 2-1/2" into 3" transition

URD $585 - 2.25”

both seem to be a very easy direct bolt on replacement. Ive read that being N/A I should avoid going too large (3") as that is where I would see the low end torque loss. However, with it going to a 2.5" exhaust maybe that wont be much of an issue?? Thoughts?

Also regarding where the pipes meet will I need to do anything for it to transition from a 3" or 2.25" to a 2.5" exhaust?

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated! I have no issue with admitting that im not the most mechanically inclined and that is why im here hoping for answers from the more experienced folks!

 

Are you looking at the straight through AFE or the one with cats? Its going to sound raspy without cats or resonators of some sort (just my opinion from lots of ls based hotrods and now my own s/c'd 15 tacoma).

 

Thanks for the reply @Redsyota, I am looking at 48-46006 which is without cats. Is it really bad inside the cab?

With my current setup and having the vinyl flooring instead of the carpet its still fairly quiet and sounds great

 

I just installed a used URD y-pipe on my HP Tuned but otherwise completely stock 2014. I wasn't expecting much in regards to performance but mainly wanted an improvement in off-road clearance.

I'm a decent welder and many would consider me mechanically inclined so the URD pipe was a bit of a disappointment all around. C+ TIG welds, not perfect fit with my stock exhaust (had to push the stocker back an inch, bend a hanger bracket with a torch and am still getting some annoying crossmember contact at certain RPM's), no discernable power increases in my N/A truck and the install was understatedly not awesome.

The truck is low mileage and rust-free so removal of the OEM pipe went super-quick. However, it was the removal of the header flange studs that turned a 45 minute bolt-on project into a 6 hour long cut, drill and tap fest. If URD had just designed the fitment to allow the use of the stock studs, I'd still be pretty luke-warm about it all, especially if I had to buy new and pay retail.

Not sure about the AFE pipe, but if I had to do it again and wanted a nice Y-pipe to increase performance, I'd be plunking down for one of @Roostfactor equal length pipes.

 

Thanks for the reply, @DesertRatliff. Wow, that really has made this decision even harder because I was leaning towards the URD.. I would LOVE one of roostfactors pipes but I just cant see myself throwing 1k at a pipe unfortunately.

 

Are you just looking for added performance? It sounds like there's not much to gain in our N/A applications with the addition of an aftermarket y-pipe. @mightytacoman exhaust cam gears might be a better bang for the buck, especially since you can have OV Tune make them run perfect (mine are ready to install).

Or just put that $500+ in a fund for a supercharger...

If you're looking for better clearance, a simple $100 exhaust shop re-route might be the way to go. I got a good deal on the URD pipe here on TW, but in hindsight and if I had to pay retail, a re-route would have been sufficient for my needs.

 

I would like to see a small gain, however I know I may not see any change apart from sound change, better gas mileage, and as you stated a bit more clearance, which in that case I may just do the re-route.

I do have plans to eventually throw a sc in it, but I want to have it paid off before doing so lol

I will definitely look into the exhaust cams, I appreciate that info!

 

I'm happy to help you with the exhaust cams if you decide to go that route buddy.

 

Not sure what makes a URD Y pipe a MK2.

Years ago I installed long tube DT headers and a URD Y pipe. Still has the oem exhaust from the Y pipe back.

MPG definitely increased. Exhaust note rasp, yes it is there. I do not wring out every gear so not too bad most times.

The left side Y pipe hanger was not a bad alignment during installation, however 800 miles from home, the Y pipe exhaust tube section around the hanger weld broke out a section of the pipe.

My truck has other mods too beyond the exhaust, but no supercharger.

Never ran the other brands of Y pipes.

 

2.5" is too large and you will lose low end.
I use 2.25" and want to try 2" for na trucks to keep exhaust velocity high.

The raspyness comes from the exhaust pulses trying to fight their way through the merge collector.
Having equal lengths lines up the exhaust pulses so they alternate through the merge collector which also creates the scavenging effect that is non existant with unequal length systems.

This is specific to our engines firing order as each cylinder fires 120° apart alternating between banks.

Hope this helps.

Roost

 

@mightytacoman thanks man, im going to do some research on changing exhaust cams and will definitely give you a shout if I choose that route. If you have any quick and dirty details I would appreciate it!

@Roostfactor thanks for that, it helps a lot. Looks like my Y-Pipe options are go with the URD and deal with a bit of raspyness or splash the cash on your pipe! Do you build any of them with a smaller diameter? It looks like yours is about 2.5"-3", is that accurate?

 

Mine are 2.25" with a collector exit of 2.5 or 3" to mate to your exhaust.
There is a lot more to it than just sound! There is a very specific reason why it's made the way it is. Efficiency!

 

Most of the details are here buddy.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/exhaust-cam-gears-with-3°-retard-for-v6-1gr.618266/

 

@mightytacoman I'm ready to do this, but now my only concern is where to have it done or who to have help me! I'm not so sure I'm feeling confident enough to crack open my engine myself :/

 

As much as I would like to help ya tackle this over a few beers, NY isn't exactly next door. Myself and others would surely answer any questions you had during the process. Pm me if you decide to place an order.

 

2.25” is somewhere between just right and too large. For the Y-pipe you essentially have two 120hp engines and each one has its own pipe until they merge. 2.5”-3” is almost certainly gonna cost you low end torque.

 

Thanks @mightytacoman I'll probably be doing that within the next few weeks. Ill get my brother In law to help me out with it haha. I appreciate the help, info, and responsiveness!

Thanks @ImBillT I think I'm actually going to do both now... get the cam gears done along with throwing on the URD Y..

@OVTune is this something that would require changes to my current tune? [Cam gears w/ 3° retard & URD Y Pipe] or is your tune already adjusting the exhaust gear timing? If that's even possible by ecu cal?

I recall you saying it may need to be done with a complete new exhaust which the only stock part left would be the manifolds.

Thank you guys, I'm really enjoying learning all of this new stuff

 

I was just about to mention a JFR Y-pipe...

 

Yeah, he didnt put my y-pipe in the voting pole.

 

Ah man, makin me feel bad! Truthfully I feel like we cant compare them since yours is the only equal length! If I had the money right now I wouldnt hesitate to snag one of yours!