I think many of us would like to ask a Mitsubishi engineer about that nice little bend. I have ripped my exhaust out several times, and can attribute damage from that bend atleast once, other times were tail pipe wedged against the ground and not centering the 2.5" suspension lift and having a tire catch the tail pipe. I went straight as well(stock diameter), with a heavy duty and low profile Flowmaster muffler. I have had some issues due to the extra travel from my suspension in rear, and clearence issues, which seem to get tougher with a straight arrangement. There is no question though, that bend has to go!