Well I have the second cat gutted and all! Has anyone gutted the first one up next to the motor like right below the manifold and could you hear a difference in sound or feel any better performance and how hard was it to do?

I was thinking about this, but it wouldn't be worth it to not pass emissions to me.

i think with a 5sfe it wouldnt be worth it, mainly just a loss in a trq at low rpm and a tiny gain of horse top end. im still running threw my first cat, but my exhuast is unhooked after that first cat.....louder than hell, but unbelivable pull on the freeway, but thats with a 3s, and unhooking exhaust on a N/A 2.2L would kill performance.

Yeah, I've heard that gutting your cat will actually hinder your car's performance.