my car uses up oil fast too and i have no smoke. im doing compression test this weekend... and mine also pops a lil sometimes when i shift or let off the gas, i have 2 1/4" exhaust too. sounds like we have similar problems... i got my car smogged not too long ago and i only had aem Short ram and the exhaust and they said i barely passed because i was running rich... so i guess if im running rich then that could be the source of the minor backfiring. But anyways everyone else i talk to doesnt use as much oil as me... i have to keep a real close eye on it, i add prolly half a quart every 2nd time i fill up w/ gas LOL
pray for me i dont want to find out i have bad compression that will ruin my day (week, month). oh mine is a 98 too im glad im not alone, maybe this oil shit is normal.