Hmmm oh I didnt think of a exhaust leak as a vacuum leak

 

No both intake and exhaust are on the same side and together like one piece and use one gasket for both.

DSCF3876_zps4150c312.jpg

 

issues your describing would seem to me if you dont have an actual vacuum route leak, then id say your intake/exhaust bolts are loose causing more air than necessary to be sucked into the engine

 

I'll check that out

 

Or the bolts/nuts were put on to tight an things got warped did they use the thick gasket that came with the header if so that's your problem a stock OEM gasket is thinner and better the other gasket is too thick.

 

Its a friends shop im sure they use the gasket that came with it

 

im still going with the bolts coming loose causing air to come by the gasket, and what DAKAZ has said it may be true, but i havent encountered that issue

 

Common problem with this engine. I had the 2.5 in a 95 Jeep YJ and ran into that issue. Simply tightening the bolts up was all it took for me.

 

hi all, I have a 96 dakota sport 2.5l manual and I wanted to get a full racing exhaust system. I'm thinking maybe magnaflow cat-back system. A high flow cat and banks power header. The stock manifold has an o2 sensor connector but the banks manifold does not have it. any one knows what to do with the sensor.

 

A very large waste of money for the 2.5 don't do it you wont see but a very small return for it most gain is in the high end. I have studied this many times and talked to many 2.5 owners that have done it.

My conclusion use the money on the intake side meaning get a 4.0 Jeep throttle body a real cold air intake system and intake manifold modification meaning the air temp sensor removal and moving it into the air hat.

Look hear LINK for the air hat mod just plug up the hole I used a second air temp sensor that I cut the sensor part off and used it as a plug.

LINK for real cold air intake mod


These Mod's help the 2.5 more than the exhaust side expensive mod's

You cant pull too much out of a 2.5 a better cam would help but you cant find them anymore.

Best thing for the exhaust is get a high flow muffler best bang for the $$$$$