making a header-back exhaust, couple of questions

[Nevin]

Ok, like the title says, I am pondering the idea of a making a custom header back exhaust for my car. I'm no stranger to fabrication as I've made custom IC pipes already for two cars owned previously as well as other exhausts so yes, I will be doing this myself. I'm thinking I'll probably just buy some mandrel bends off ebay (had good luck before) and do the rest in mild steel.

Anyways, what I'm thinking is getting rid of the cats righ after the headers as well as the stock one and putting in a new ceramic cored cat probably of a 2.5" diameter. Would that be enough for the car? What is a good diameter exhaust for these cars? I would think that 3" would probably be slight overkill as well as adding un-needed noise to the car. I'm basically trying to help it breath a little better (maybe improve mileage a little) and give it just a bit more growl. I'm thinking I would probably go with a Flowmaster 80 series, and probably still put in maybe a 24" resonator. Or, should I put in two smaller cats, and have it Y together after those and then go into the piping?? You tell me! Also, I considered going catless.. but I'm past that point in my life where I'll do anything for power. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for that here in Iowa, but I don't want to be the first. ALso, I mean come on, it's the 21st century, we should be able to make power without hurting our air quality.


So, if you've done something like this, please let me know what works, what doesn't, should I even bother... etc.

Thank you.