Perceived Power loss...

Seem to have anemic performance at highway speeds re: having to use passing gear to maintain 70 mph on overpasses/hills, or in strong winds. Vehicle in question is a 98 4Runner w/2.7 liter 4 banger and auto tranny. Currently has 76000+ miles on odometer. Is this normal (I don't remember having to allways drive it this hard)? Also, not being one to accept everything in a parts catalog solely at face value, I've found a header that is designed for this engine in a parts wish book (for toyota trucks and 4 runners) that purportedly improves performance in the 2000 to 3500 rpm range. Would this be a worthwhile addition to my ride? I'm not into the whole supertuner rage that's going on - I'd just like to improve the performance of this engine in the most effective way(s) possible without breaking the proverbial piggy bank. I've been a marine mechanic for the past 21 years so I think I've got a reasonable handle on what's snake oil and what's not. That being said, marine propulsion plants already have the lowest restriction exhaust systems possible and I've kind of lost my footing with my automotive roots. Any help here will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to any and all contributors...

Swampy sends....:smokin:

Seem to have anemic performance at highway speeds re: having to use passing gear to maintain 70 mph on overpasses/hills, or in strong winds.

Classic symptoms of a clogged cat conv, although 76K mi is low for something like that. Then again, my Runner spews so much right out the exhaust, I clogged a new one up at around 500 mi.