>> Hmm, so who was it that had the '96 model Dak and added the '95 model
>> Gibson exhaust to it, and had to modify the kit to fit the extra 02
>> sensor?? No biggie, Jules has informed me that Gibson has a model for
>> the 1996 Daks so he will be making the acquaintance of my credit card
>> very soon...<drool> <pant>
>[snip]
>
>That would have to be Bob Allen, Ned.
>His experience with it could be found at:
>http://www.sky.net/~boballen/dakota/gibson.html
>but I, personally, will hold out for the 'made for 96' goodies.
I'm another '96 owner anxiously awaiting for perf upgrades due to
OBD-II (namely the MP SBEC). But, anyway, here is the story on
exhausts.
I spoke to MP in Dec and they assured me that the cat-back for older
Daks will fit the '96's... just install it AFTER the 2nd O2 sensor.
Well, easier said than done. When it arrived and I got started, I
realized that the pipe the 2nd sensor is mounted in is slightly
egg-shaped and immediately after that it takes a bend. So there is
no straight and round area of pipe to slide the new system over.
Anyway, I used the experience of Bob Allen (as mentioned) and had
a shop weld a 14mm plug non-fouler into the 8" reducer pipe supplied
with the MP exhaust (I had to get the non-fouler at a parts store).
This reducer pipe goes right after the cat and it allows the sensor
to be screwed into the non-fouler and it ends up in the same location
as with the old pipe. When I later told MP that they should include
provisions for the sensor right into the adapter along with the
kit for '96s he said they have other things to do (I told him I hope
it's the SBEC they're working on!).
When I spoke to Gibson in Dec, they said they have some applications
avaliable for '96 Dak, but not the 4X4 club cab. They could not commit
to an availability because "4X4's are not too common here and we can't
locate one to do our testing". They have a separate P/N for each
specific type of Dak, which I'm sure makes the installation alot
easier than the MP system (probably no cutting and fitting required).
When I called Flowmaster, they said they are hoping to offer
something for Dak's in the near future, but again would not make
any commitments.
I'm very happy with the MP system now that I have it installed, but
there was some cutting and then pipe expanding required for my truck
(4X4 club cab). I guess that's why they have only one P/N for all
Dak's. It's a little loud in the cab at certain RPMs while crusing,
but sounds great when you step on it. I seemed to have gained about
0.5 sec from 0-60 (about 9.0 stock to about 8.5 w/exhaust) using a
stopwatch. Much better than expected, if my watch, finger, and speedo
are accurate! (I DID average several runs in both directions).
Rich
'96 V8 4X4 auto 3.55SG club-cab
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