Anyone gut their cats/mufflers?

[Blownrunner]

I have heard of removing the internals of cats and mufflers as a cheap way to get a little more power. I am thinking it would be nice to get that hotrod sound and at the same time keep the car looking original. Has this ever been done?

[tpr60]

Unbeknow to me when I purchased my 90 the cats had been gutted. Played hell trying to pass Calif. emissions. Got it to pass at 2500rpm but not at idle, replaced the manifold/cat unit with a 30k used set and the car passed so clean you could breathe the exhaust. Didn't notice any power difference, already had a aftermarket cat back system.