Rick, the 2.6 pulls like a tractor at the low end and is surprising for a 4-cyl. I rounded a corner up a steep hill in 3rd, never expected it to pull it but it did, cleanly and gained speed handily. Just not a hi-rpm motor I guess. I would imagine it's all in the cam profile and fuel-management curve, if they wanted to build a screamer they could have. But then it'd be more peaky, not good in an SUV.

About all I had on the 2.3 besides the Delta cam was a cheap turbo muffler. Plus the cat was pretty rotted out, so not much restriction there!. I bumped the timing up a bit from stock.

That little 2.3 was also getting over 24 mpg on the hiway, can't beat that in an unaerodynamic Box!!! Maybe because the 2.3 has a bit less stroke than the 2.6, it's more rev-happy. Or maybe everything was screwed together just right on the 175,000 mile 2.3, who knows? It didn't have much internal friction, that's for sure.

At any rate, the 2.6 runs good and gets at least 20 on the hiway, I can live with that.

Of course, it can compare in no way to the 3.4 in my Trooper, but what can???? lol. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

P.S. With your carb'd 2.6, a stock 2.3 carb is not enough to properly feed it. You'd get some good gains by going to a Weber aftermarket kit. There are several types available, one's a progressive 32/36 if I recall, that would be fairly economical. The one they call the 'Outlaw' has 2-38MM downdraft throats that open at the same time. That'll certainly give your 2.6 a kick in the pants!

Try places such as www.webercarbs.com , Calmini http://www.pureisuzu.com/weber_carbs1.htm , or check on eBay; you may find a good deal on a used carb then pick up the adapter separately........ed