I have a 1987 xtra cab 4x4 and would like to upgrade system from factory mainifold back but can't find one online. Anyone know where I can look. Also read installing a new coil such as MDS 6A would improve performance. What do others think.

 

22r or 22re , stainless headers, & cat you can get from LC,these are performance parts.
The pipe & tip any good muffler shop can do for you, go with 2'' or 2 1/4''
Wile doing this route all up inside the frame so if you decide to bag it all will be good!

 

there's bunch of places that make headers/exhaust systems- LCEngineering, Pacesetter, Doug Thorley, Northwest offroad Specialties, and the list goes on and on. Hell, I think Hooker even makes a header for these trucks! Be ready, though.....some of them can be pretty expensive.

I've used an MSD 6AL on a previous truck I built. It wasn't exactly a stock engine, though. The gains I noticed were-- easier starting in all weather conditions, better mileage if I kept my foot out of it, and maybe a little gain in Hp, it's hard to tell were the gains come from when everything happens at once ( fresh rebuild with cam, header, exhaust, MSD, etc)

 

Go to a muffler shop. Tell em 2 1/4 pipe, a hi flow muffler (and cat if you need), The'll make it for you resonably priced.

MSD 6A is not a coil. Its a "ignitor" just like your stock one but on steroids. I run a stock ignitor but with a Pertronix "Flame Thrower 2" coil in place of the stock one. I had the coil from my bug, and a noticable difference. (6 in white spark) Very simple to wire up and can show you if you need.

I never ran an MSD, but probably will in the near future because of the features a box lets you do. Such as nitrous and boost, or in-cab retard.

 

Most of the headers out there are made of mild steel,not 304 stainless as LC's. And not ceramic coated as LC's
The difference is there will last much longer & look good for a very long time!
As in most things ,you get what you pay for!!

 

Thanks for the info. What I read on a post was the original manifold were well made and if one mod was done it would be to go off this manifold and increase size of pipe and quality of cat and muffler to allow the engine to breath and perform. I couldn't determine if that meant starting at the first union off the manifold or the second where the two pipes go to one then to the cat. In looking at the places mentioned all I could find was from the cat back. Do you think a quality cat and muffler without headers added would give a noticable increase in performance? I use the truck as a daily commuter and to get me fishing so I mainly want to increase efficiency

 

It would help ,as will be less restrictive!
The key to engine performance is & always has been to get them to breather better,both intake & exhaust !
The headers are a key ingredient ,as is a cam ( the heart of a engine)!Also look @ installing a K&N stock filter replacement .
Any change in performance you will enjoy!