thanks for that info, now i know more about what im dealing with.

the exhaust is a little funky. I think when the previous owner went to test the car the exhaust had some kind of 2 piece header, then a flange where it bolted to the cat, then the cat welded to a 2.5" section that ended at a flange about 4 feet before the muffler. then for some reason at the flange, the pipe dia. goes to an almost stock looking size (like 1.75") until it reaches a dynomax muffler.

the previous owner told me that he had to replace the gasket on the 2 piece header a few times and ended up just getting a 1 piece obx header. do you think there may have been a leak at the header causing air to get in?

and finally, can i buy a carsound cat and pass emissions?

thanks a lot. im hoping i can pass this thing without emptying my bank account on a waiver.