Exhaust upgrade 90 series 1kz-te South Aus

[peculiarism Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close peculiarism]

Looking for advice re: exhaust upgrade for 2001 90 series TD Prado (1kz-te).

Would appreciate advice from people who have invested in exhaust mods for this model re what I can practically expect in terms of improved performance and to a lesser extent economy.

1kz-te seems to have very little grunt under 2.5-3 thousand rpm. Wondering if the quicker turbo spool up and beathability of a larger exhaust and dump pipe adds much to the pickupthrough the gears, particularly at lower revs.

Also a bit in the dark re: specific specs of the exhaust. I guess Im looking for a bit of an idiots guide. Have heard people talk about flow through exhausts, exhausts with/without muffler - hotdog - converter, ss or mild steel, 3" and 2.75". Really not sure abouth the advantages/disadvantages of the different setups and which one is right for me and my motor.

Contacted Manta, Thaipan and Beaudesert for advice. Did not recieve a reply from Beudesert. Manta informed me they do not make an exhaust for the 1kz-te 90 series. Thaipan advised me to contact them via phone which I am yet to do.

Figure there must be a few people with 90 series who have taken the plunge and have experience to share.

Also curious about chipping the motor. After enquiries to MTQ engine systems here in SA I was informed that the 1kz-te is the least responsive to chips and they are currently developing a chip specifically for this model.

A concern for me is that the car has 230,000 clicks and Im not sure if the investment is worth in terms of a) how much life is left in the motor and b) the actually improvements that can be expected.

Atm i am considering exhaust first and maybe chip later.

I did read a couple of posts where people have complained about problems with exhaust upgrades re: broken mounts and brackets not holding up to the vibrations and flex that the exhaust is subjected to. I believe the comments were in regard to Taipan exhausts. There were also comments re: corroded brackets/mounts and fixture due to beach driving with the mild steel exhaust.

Really in the dark atm and have read a lot of mixed comments on different sites; everything from incredible performance improvements to not noticing any difference...

Hope someone can shed some educated light on the subject and help me make an informed decision. Also if people can recommend anyone in SA that has experience in this type of work and can offer unbiased proffessional advice/service.

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

Have a chat with the guys at AAA Exhausts on Deacon Ave, Richmond 8352 7444. I used them a loooooong time ago, having said that they have been around for a long time

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

This is from a 95 series 1KZ prado supplied by Beudesert. This is the dump pipe from the back of the turboThey are not supported enough, blokes have made extra bracing accross to the transmission housing to support it, I asked Beudesert about it when I had my 01 grande 1KZ sent them these pictures as well and asked them had they solved the problem yet, never got a call back from them so I wont ever be using them. Just my experiance, if people cant be bothered to ring me back then they wont ever be getting my $$$, others have used them no problems. Cheers Steve

[peculiarism Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close peculiarism]

SteveM

How long ago was this exhaust fitted and how long was it on before this type of damage occured? Anyone else experienced these types of results with aftermarket exhausts?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

"" Did not recieve a reply from Beudesert. "" Sounds like nothings changed in 3 years........ Mate it was actually some on on here about 2 to 3 three years ago, I dont remember the time frame on how long he had it on for. Will see if I can find the post unless he's deleted it or some thing by now ?? Cheers Steve

[adam's prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close adam's prado]

We have had our taipan 3" exhaust system and DP chip on for about 2 years now we have had no troubles, awesome power difference especially when we were towing our Jayco camper around. Taipans after sales help are really good when we had to replace the tail pipe section a couple of months ago ( thru driver error ) posted from Brissy to Perth in about 4 days.

Hope this helps
Cheers Adam

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Sorry mate I have searched and searched for the post which relates to those pictures and cant find it, was definately here on PP that I found it when I was enquiring about an exhaust for my 95 when I had it.........Cheers Steve

[peculiarism Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close peculiarism]

ok, thanks anyway for searching...

Did you end up getting an exhaust from anyone for your 95 series or did you give up on the idea altogether?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

After speaking with numerous other people and exhaust people I just replaced the main muffler to free it up a bit, but I got some flanges so that if for some reason I ddint like the new exhaust or there was issues I could just unbolt the new one and replace with old one, did this just before I sold it, did it make a difference ?? Maybe a tad quicker off the mark and up to 100 was maybe a tad better but after that didnt feel any difference.I think it depends on the vehicle, the 1kz has a pretty big exhaust from factory anyway, just the muffler I think is restricted a bit. I believe blokes with the patrols are finding good increases in power. I know some one on here (wont mention his name) who chiped his and did the exhaust with no big difference, he had to wind the chip setting back a bit as it was blowing too much soot and shit on the back of his 120 and camper so he reckons what was the point, he reckons he wouldnt waste his money again........Cheers Steve

[peculiarism Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close peculiarism]

In fairness to Beuadesert Exhausts I have recieved two replies from them since my initial email. Both of which came within 24 hours of my questions. The first was a general query regarding exhaust upgrades in SA. Here was their answer:

In Sa you can contact X country 4x4 83575993, Jacksons 4x4 85322550, or Trident Tyre Centre 87257799.depending on where you are.
We manufacture a full 2 3/4" mandrel bent system inc dump pipe to suit your Prado 95 Series Factory Turbo.
These exhaust systems are all bent and built in our own workshop with our automatic mandrel tube benders, by our highly experienced, qualified staff.
All kits come with nuts, bolts and gaskets supplied (apart from gasket off the back of the turbo-which is quite alright to use again) and fit on to all original mountings and brackets.
We supply a hi-flow, perforated straight through type muffler. This means that the muffler won't restrict the flow of the system due to it being the same size diameter as the tube and the system won't be any louder then standard as the perforations absorb any excessive noise or droning.
Our customers have given us good feedback, being extremely happy with the improved torque and fuel economy of their vehicles after installing one of our systems. We have found that we sell a lot of our product to people towing large vans and boats looking for more power to get them up hills and along passing lanes.
On average our systems give customers an approximate power increase of up to 15% and an improvement to fuel economy by approximately 12%.
The price for an aluminized mild steel system is $935.00 plus $25.00 packaging, plus freight.
We can also supply a stainless steel system for $1700.00.
Alternatively we can fit this system here in our workshop for an extra $300.00.
Thanks for your enquiry. I hope to hear from you again soon.
Noel

I then questioned Beaudesert on the issues re: support and cracking dump pipes etc... They responded by saying:

yes in the beginning we did have issues with the dump pipe cracking at the support but since we have moved to 2mm for the dump pipe and improved mounting bracket we seem to have solved this problem. Also we found that 755 of the issues were because of bad fitment but we still backed these units. We understand that these are 4wd and are used as such so we Endeavour to make sure that our system withstand harsh treatment but extreme abuse we cannot cater for. The warranty on both types of systems is 12 months under normal use. You really need to do a lot of beach work to warrant s/steel.



Regards

Noel


Not sure what happened with my very first email, but they have reponded promptly to both of my emails since... So perhaps it was my error.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Seems like a fair reply, I'd be happy with that. Obviously the cracking was an issue but has been rectified and they warranted the dodgy ones which is good. I suppose its up to you now what you do LOL I even rang a couple of turbo places to ask the question about bigger dump pipe from the turbo plus exhaust and they both said I would be wasting my money ?? I rang turbo glide in Woolongong and they were one of the places that told me I was wasting money, I think the blokes name I spoke to was Mick, nice guy and very informative. Cheers Steve