Normal
For mine the 26" is along the radius from the center of the pipe where it is welded to the main exhaust to the end cap of the resonator. Measured along the inner radius would be about 1" shorter while measured along the outer radius would be about 1" longer. I had mine welded in 32" long with the end cap taped on then drove it s few minutes. Then I took off an inch at a time until the resonance disappeared then welded the end cap up.