Exhaust down pipe pinch REMOVED ! Pics. Important!
 

Didn't know for sure where the post belonged, its about oem, but a minor mod so I put it over in the modified forum.

You can get it here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/ex...ortant-200762/

I've got a dentless downpipe from a 97 or 98 grand Cherokee on the 97 exhaust and on my exhaust. I cut it off at the first weld in the system. Cleaned the weld off the new down pipe. Slide the new one off the GC in the larger pipe, bolt it up to the manifold, and weld weld it after its been set into a stress free position. When it's done, it looks factory and the smog Nazis would never know.

Mine has the big *** dent in it ('96)
I have been contemplating what to do for awhile now.................

This sounds like a perfect solution. This means the down pipe can be bought new without a dent and will fit the XJ with a bit of cut and weld down stream. Cool solution! Thanks for bringing this up.

The Walker aftermarket downpipe for 93-95 XJ has the pinch.
The Walker pipe for 96-99 does NOT have the pinch.............

Big as* hammer restores the pinch.

Yeah but, the walker pipe is kinked into shape not mandrel bent.

Thats why I did not get the Walker. Saw a pic of it. Seems it defeats some of the designed efficiency of the tubular header, using compression kinks to make the bends.

Same with the "logic" of the pinch to heat up the cat quicker. Maybe it does. But this is a bass ackwards way of getting there. Especially after designing an efficient exhaust header. What, to defeat it with pinching off 30 percent of the exhaust flow?

No, the pinch is to clear the diff and u joint. Take a close look on a stock XJ. Some even have the pipe banged up around the pinch where things were still out of whack.

I think I'm going to make a header back system myself. You can buy a diy "hot rod" kit pretty cheap. That way I can put it where I want it. (High and tight)

I noticed mine while working on my '94 yesterday!
I have a lift kit on mine, so its not in the way of hitting anything,but i can not beleive how pinched the pipe is. Now i have another mod to tackle.

It is well worth the effort. The change in open throttle driving is stunning. Especially on the freeway going up hill. Lots less downshifting.

Read all the other suggestions. Find the thread in Modified tech. Someone says the front portion of a 97-98 Grand Cherokee 4.0l has the pipe with no dent. A bit of cut and weld would be an even better solution than heating and pushing out the old dent.