More performance without going crazy?

[Xkxbug04]

Just curious here, but I've done the ported upper & lower when I did my gaskets, was curious about doing a high flow downpipe? Headers in California probably won't pass smog, they seem to be around 300 bucks? Not sure if any fit on my 97 malibu?
I saw the stock which appear to be 2" maybe? And 2.25" piping? 97 malibu ls 3100. Was thinking of tossing in a 2.5" downpipe back to the stock muffler for some more go without visually changing much & hopefully picking up some more mileage? Intake is stock with silencer removed from inner fender & 2.5" piping added in its place, k&n panel filter. More sound but picks up cold air from the same place. Actually felt a bit more throttle response with this. Coolant bypass to the throttle body since I live in the desert. Done this to almost every car I've owned. And yes I've done the 58mm throttle body.

I know someone offered a ecu reflash for around 100 bucks? Who does that?
I've also read the egr delete/block off picks up a bit of power?
And what's everyone's opinions on the downpipe/exhaust piping?

I'm not looking for a fire breathing monster, mainly looking for some more cruising power & mileage to be honest. Car rarely sees more than 4000rpm.

[TGP37]

Anything that helps the engine breath easier will help. Start at the filter and work your way to the tail pipe. Remove/optimize any restrictions that your willing to do.

Quick, cheap power isn't easy. Some like under drive pulley, I don't. But it does add some low end snap. You could go non-power steering for a few.

If you can spend some money, I would toss in a cam, a larger throttle, CAI, some good flow mufflers and get the engine tuned at a dyno.

[Xkxbug04]

Well once my issues are taken car rod the car, and if its kept, ill do the header back. The stock downpipe looks extremely restrictive. And get the ecu re flash from wot performance of whoever it was that offered it. And ill be done.

At this point I'm thinking of fixing this ca and selling or trading it for a jeep grand cherokee for the wife. I love my xj and would never go to any other car except a 12v cummins or a old straight axle tbi burb. The jeeps just a piece of cake to work on. God this malibu on the other hand takes 45 minutes to get at the rear plugs against the fire wall lol

[TGP37]

I moved my ign coil pack up front and the evap canister/valve setup is placed where the battery used to be. Batt in the trunk.

Makes changing spark plugs easy now. Too much stuff above the rear header where a lot of heat is. So I moved them, especially the coil packs. Electricity always does better cooler.

Not the easiest job but it does help. The downpipe is restrictive, especially just behind the ball flange thing and the bend.

Larger diameter exhaust pipe will help (especially if mandrel bent) and make the exhaust note lower in tone.