Before anyone starts flaming...I have tried searching for everything and anything to do with CAT and found NOTHING that can answer my question.
So, with that said, here's my question...
Would removing my main CAT with a straight pipe increase performance?, and if so, by how much?

I believe my CAT is failing, as I have black smoke coming fron the exhaust when I stomp on the gass and the peformance of the car has decreased. I read in an Import mag that they removed the CAT for a straight pipe on a Eclipse GS-T and it gave an increase of 27.1Hp on the Dyno!!! WOW!, now I know that the appilcation is totaly different as it's a turbo and mine's not obviously. But it got me wondering.

I know this is totaly illegal to do also, but what the hell. I just got smogged and have a replacement CAT that I can put on next year etc, Will it be that much louder without the CAT? (I also have the Res removed with a straight pipe) and what about smell or smoke increase?

ANY help on this topic would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Simon W. Las Vegas.
96 SE V6 MTX Tereador Red (1st Blown Engine, better be the last!)
1999 SVT Engine
SVT Exhaust w/custom DTM Tips and optimized Y-pipe and no Res (thanks to Po-Jay!). LSD Quaife(thanks to Terry!), SCA CAI w/KKM, Grizzly clutch, FMS 9mm wires, Airknights custom short shifter.

"You can only get more rice at one time by ordering Chinese" - Davo7SVT
"it's only nuts and bolts" - Terry Haines
"Drive it like you stole it" - Me!