Of course..granted some of these cars have 2 O2 sensors...I'm just asking why sacrifice performance when you can find a better more protected location for a sensor...

Chances are a customer isn't going to be to concerned with Federal Emissions standards...if they buy a GP, means the wanna move.

I understand the need for O2 sensors and the mechanical implications

If the Bonneville (more expensive, upscale car) has 5 more HP and ft/lb then it'* more of a premium.

Mine is straight, saw it on the lift last night.

There was absolutely no need for the 02 sensor to be on the top of the pipe at all. In the high flow downpipes that are available they put the 02 sensor in the side of the pipe, which is just fine unless there is something flying around under your car thats gonna hit it. And if anyone has noticed, the '04 GP has the exact same exhaust setup as the '97-03'*, EXCEPT it has no u-bend.

Shawn

honestly you arent going to tell a 5hp and 5tq difference come on

You would at the dragstrip. 5hp & 5tq. makes a big difference at the dragstrip. You wouldn't believe the things people do to their cars to get 5hp & 5tq. Of course, as you mod the car, it becomes more and more of a restriction, until there is a certain point where it just won't allow the engine to make more power. So if you had headers and a cam, and P&P'ed heads, and a intercooler and like a 2.6" pulley, removing this u-bend could gain you like 15+hp.

But on the street, it probably won't make much difference.

Shawn

There never was a U-bend on my exhaust. The original exhaust manifold does not exist direct center, so the original downpipe has about a 2" offset, but it is straight from the Cat to the resonator. The O2 sensor is located horizontal just before the resonator. After the resonator the 2 1/4" pipe jogs slightly around the fuel tank but far less than in a GTP.
The new TOG headers are dead center. A real straight shot. The new downpipe flex joint is a full 3" diameter instead of the original flex that is only 2" inside diameter.