Hello everyone, it's time for some exhaust work and I was curious about a few things I've been contemplating. As of now I have a leak between my manifold and down pipe, I've replaced the gasket, but haven't gotten a chance to look at it any more. I just know that there is exhaust coming from it (probably have some old gasket left over). Eitherway, my flex pipe recently developed a hole, and the plug that is in the catalytic converter recently rotted out also. So, I'm looking for the best option to replace the flex pipe, and maybe upgrade the exhaust at the same time. Not only is the sound unnerving, but my gas mileage has dropped to around 15mpg from a pretty steady 19-20mpg. So anyone who has replaced their exhaust, care to chime in? I was looking at possibly using products from Jegs. They have flex pipes in various lengths and diameters, stainless and normal, for in my opinion very reasonable prices. So basically, I'd like to replace the exhaust from the manifold back, and if there is a header for a reasonable price for the 2.6, unless it's not worth it, I'll replace the whole thing. I just want my mileage back, and the noise taken care of.

Thank you,
- Jim

I just ordered one of these

http://www.performance-curve.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1059
one of these
http://www.performance-curve.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=140
and one of these

http://www.performance-curve.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=816

All for $120 shipped.

I also ordered a pacesetter header off ebay.
I ordered the cat .25" larger to get that extra flow capacity since the core will be a little restrictive. I have enough 2.25" tubing to complete the exhaust back to the muffler and will be taking my truck to a exhaust shop to have the rest of the tail pipe custom bent to exit where the stock pipe does but more hidden.

Thanks, that is similar to what I am thinking of doing. I have access to a welder, but I'm not sure if I should just bring it in somewhere to have the system welded up, or if I should do it back to where it requires a custom bend. As far as I know, the exhaust is completely straight till after the muffler. Do you have a link to the exact header needed for the 2.6? I looked on ebay real quick and saw some models for the 2.0-2.3L motors, I just don't know if it would work on the 2.6. Are you going to use a reducer for the Cat to go from 2.5-2.25? I feel comfortable with the welding, and I'm curious to hear from people if I could simply buy pre-bent exhaust tubing to get around the frame rail and such?

Thanks.
- Jim

Yeah I'm just going to go down to the auto parts store and buy a couple of reducers for the cat.

I got my header from this guy http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/maw_products?&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1181 He was the cheapest I could find. You have to have a header for a round port 2.6 I'm pretty sure the 2.3's are a different port design. It is drop shipped straight from Pacesetter. I just got it today. Now I'm just waiting on the rest of my parts.

2.3 AND THE 2.6 EXHAUST PORTS ARE IDENTICAL, BOTH ROUND ,, THE 1.8 AND THE 2.0 G200 ENGS HAVE SQUARE PORT, THEY WILL BOLT UP BUT CAN BE HARD TO MAKE SEAL CORRECTLY , SAME BOLT PATTERN, AS THE 2.6 JERRY

Interesting, I didn't know that. The reason I said that is I have seen the 2.3 thrown in the same part number as the 1.8/2.0 square ports. The part number for the 2.3 is 70-1105 and the 2.6 is 70-1125 I found this info on a couple of different sites but Pacestter doesn't list anything for Isuzu on thier own website that I could find.