I will also say this the massive S shaped air intake tube that comes with the 2.5 does restrict air intake but very minimal so leave it be I changed mine but it took a lot of modification of other things to do it. The air box is also big for the 2.5 so leave it just make sure that you get all air from the outside of the engine bay is all that's needed leave the rest alone.

 

ok, I've had this vehicle for at least 7 seven years I wanted it to keep going. I just thought bankspower manifold would help the motor breath alot better. I already have 200,000+ miles

 

Btw thanks for the link, thats a cool mod. You know 96 dakota 2.5 does not have the s shaped air intake. More like a u shaped, yeah. I should post a photo of it. I have a box shaped body truck, more like first gen. Oh yeah! I think I'm gonna get a high flow
muffler dual exaust 2.5" to open it up a little.

 

I have a 97 2.5 with the Banks header i found it under jeep as i do many parts the only thing i like about the Banks is that my old Cast header keep cracking so in the long run the Metal head is worth it an i have no problems with smog in California

 

You know, I heard about the cracking of cast iron maniflod, a mechanic friend of mine said that it is common. He said the reason why it crack because of faulty thermostat. Thermostat are so cheap I simply change mine once a year to avoid cracking. Or install banks header which I am in process of install and its a pain in the butt.