sxrsil3nt,
not sure why but I'll find out for you though.
oh wait,I do know why. I wanted the tailpipes to have slight reveal, maximun of 3. If tailpipe goes under leaf springs would be too much reveal for my taste. I have concern having too much reveal may give other drivers the impression of having a powerful motor

 

I use a good valve cleaner two times a year

One thing I did that did help was I pulled my plugs pored 2oz. of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder let soak then rotated the engine by hand a few times more MMO repeat 2 more times them pore more in each cylinder let sit over night install plugs and go. I freed up a stuck ring I think as the 2.5 ran way better after that more power. I will probably do it again next month to see what happens as I have a lot of work planed in March.

R/R the head would probably help some and with the 2.5 its an easy job.

I should try the spraying water mist down my throttle body and see if it clears out some carbon

 

not quite done yet

 

Do you think that a headers would somehow reduce back pressure?
BTW
The 200,000 plus 2.5L 4cly is very happy with the new exhaust.
I drove it on the freeway 75 m/h with less effort.
I don't really like to take it up that fast, but it want to.

 

Did you use the thick intake/exhaust gasket they give you?

If so you will have intake/exhaust leaks in a year the stock thin gasket is way better the thick one will compress in time and cause you problems.

In time I mean less than a year

I know as I talk to people that have used it and they always end up replacing it.

I think I have seen this on a lot of Jeep forums also as they use the 2.5 on many older jeeps.

I have extensively researched anything regarding the 2.5 Jeep forums are the place to go not on a Dakota forum.

 

I used the gasket that came with it. I was asked to re torque it in a few months.
I have concerned about this banks manifold
that it is not made for dakota.
I hope I pass the smog this year.
I was just talking to ASE certified mechanic,
that if it doesn't say it is for 2.5l dakota.
Then I cannot use it.

 

Ignore that its ok no problem just never tell the SMOG check people even then it doesn't matter.


re torqueing the nuts will help but the other problem is bending the manifolds intake and exhaust as the thicker gasket may cause.

I don't know why they put this gasket in the kit I assume to cover any warping by the exhaust manifold.

Most end up replacing it back to stock after they experience problems.

By the way the cracking of the exhaust manifolds is in the Jeep's not the Dakotas it has to do with the way they rout the piping it puts pressure on the manifold that the Dakota piping doesn't.

I forgot be sure to check were the manifold bolts to the piping as I was told the gasket they use doesn't fit the Dakotas all that well and you get an exhaust leak so check that a number of times.

 

ok, thankx for the heads up.

My piping is all done by a muffler shop.
He did a really good job.
I think that having a 2" manifold collector and a 2.5 inch down pipe
is an awesome deal. I don't know if this help with back pressure.
I hope so, I don't want any issue with reversion. Hopefully the
banks manifold is anti reversion.

 

Its a good header and getting custom tubing done was a great and best choice because its made for a jeep the shop I hope noticed the connecting ring gasket needed changing sounds like a winner to me. I just couldn't justify the cost to performance ratio I would rather change my diff ratio than pay for the custom header. I had an all new exhaust system done 7 years ago with high flow cat and muffler but no banks header. She sounds smooth and throaty now not noisy most compliment me on how it sounds.

 

Summit racing will match any price, I was able to purchased this item for very low amount. I found a banks manifold online for $349, and then I called summit racing.
Summit charged me $348 plus tax, so $358 out the door with free shipping.
Regular price was $399 plus tax, I saved around 40 bucks.

banks manifold - $358
custom down pipe 2.5" - $ 110
high flow cat - $300
cat back dual exhaust system magnaflow 2.5" - $400
grand total of - $1168