does removing the catalytic converter add HP? Options

[nate95]

Hey i was just wondering if i were to remove the catalytic converter if it would add any horse power? or what about getting a "Y" pipe before the cat. so i can still have the cat. but have it go straight out when i want to race?

[Niskyspy]

For about 6 years I though that removing the converter will give a gain in HP. But about a month ago I had a talk with a muffler shop mechanic who was doing exhausts for 30 years. He told me that removing the cat wont give any gain in HP because they are all designed for up to 500HP. When I asked him why do companys make high-flow cats he told me its just a $$$ thing (cuz people think that it will give them more HP). Since my Toyota has 2 cat's and one of them was leaking the muffler shop removed one of my cats and guess what I didn't feel any difference in my car well exept that the exhaust leak sound went away