I've heard all kindsa backyard exhausts around here on the 22re. Some straight pipe from the headers, some with Thrush glasspacks, what-have-you.
Personally...? I like the way a regular ol muffler sounds with 2 1/4" piping from the stock header back. There's one guy in town here who's set up his '90 (i think?) like that, sounds good. Can tell it's not stock, but doesn't have that nasty 4banger raspy rattle.


For doing the oil pan...dropping the front crossmember(4 bolts) and the 2 rear diff mounts (2 bolts) was the easiest way for me.
I'd recommend using Toyota FIPG (form in place gasket) if you're going to do it. It's good stuff. It's usually a dealer only item; there's a garage locally to me that specializes in toyotas, I generally get it from them because they're closer.