97 2.3 aint feeling right

[rangerbum]

Well, my 97 2.3 has always ran strong, but feels a little odd lately. I saw on another thread about RPM's that someone said that the 2.3 with my gearing and stock tire size should be capable of 45MPH in 1st gear, but I dont think I've ever taken her over 25 in 1st, 45 in second, 65 in third, and 100+(after several hours waiting) in fourth.

The symptoms: Raspy feel and sound, powerband feels rough, sorta choppy. I'm worried about my motor because It's never felt like this, and Ive invested a bit into it. Absolutely screams exhaust leak on the highway.

Possibility #1 I do have a new exhaust, but that damned header flange wont tighten correctly on the left side, so it's not sealed properly. And that could be the problem, it could also be a leak in the used magnaflow I put on. But I'm replacing that fart can for something quieter in the next few days.

Possibility #2 My engine feels rough, and doesnt feel right. I took off the Jet chip to see if that could be the problem, but honestly dont feel any difference without it except at low RPM's in 3rd or 4th gear. It doesnt feel better or worse, but I'm going to leave it off for a while and see if it "heals."

Poss.#3. It literally started a day after I changed my oil. I used Quakerstate 5W-30. Nothing special. But I've heard a few good and bad stories about Quakerstate, and Wonder if it could possibly be that.

Maybe the shatty muffler.

What do you fellas think I should check? Is it fine? Just an Exhaust Leak? What all else is there that I'm missing? Or am I paranoid?

 

[jdm90]

You're going to have to get that header to seal first. Is it one single flange? Do you have a quality gasket in there? There is an exhaust gasket in between the cat and the header pipe on my '94. It is kind of cone shaped. Checked it? Did your OE exhaust manifold have two ports for the DPFE hoses to hook up?