Help factory catalytic con? Options

[bdog_v]

Well I am trying to install a new exhaust on my 94 celica Gt model and when I pulled the downpipe off the exhaust manifold I was surprised to see honey comb material in the exhaust manifold, like you would see in a catalytic converter????? Is the cat. located right next to the exhaust manifold on this car? If not what is this???? I don't have a cat anywhere else in my exhaust system.

-If this is the cat. I want it gone. Can you just punch out the honeycomb material and run it hollow or do you need to replace the cat. *if it is the cat.* with a straight pipe?????

-I don't have the heat shield off yet so I am not aware of how this is bolted together any ideas???? Thanks....

[bdog_v]

Actually the flex pipe is just that a flex pipe at the end of the downpipe that lets the exhaust system flex when the engine moves slightly when you get on the gas. *I have built a few exhaust systems myself and have a welder* But I have never run into a car with two cats and a resonator and a muffler!!!!!!!!!!

-I am talking about the exhaust manifold up by the motor, it bolts directly to a big round *pipe* for lack of a better word that is actually a catalytic converter.

-Has anyone removed this piece or hollowed it out? HOw did it affect your mileage or power.


-NOw when you put a header on this piece has to go so, I don't think hollowing it out would be so bad from a performance point of view. I just don't want to lose my good mileage......