cat replacement??
 

Does anyone make a strait pipe replacement you could put in place of your catalytic converter. I know they make them for mustangs, but does anyone know were you could get one for an accord. Hypothetically speeking.. Better yet, has anyone ever tried to take a broom handle or something else and gut the cat?? I've heard some you can and some you can't.

The state fines can be heavy for removing your catalytic converter. I've heard of $5000 fines in California, but being from Kentucky, you should be fine.
Sure, you can weld a straight pipe, to replace your cat, but finding a muffler place that will do it might be kind of hard. Gutting out your cat is another option, but you may end up with a "ting"ing sound or rattleing. In my opinion, I would go with a high-flow cat, from MagnaFlow or like company. That will set you back $50 - $100, and it's a simple bolt-on, (compared to having to weld). That way, you still have a functioning cat but the flow at the same time.

Also, you know if you get a high-flow cat, in the higher RPM's (or VTEC) a thing black smoke may come out of your exhaust, since it won't be burnt up in cat... right?

im pretty sure its a federal offense to remove a catalytic converter that is functional, so youll have probs getting a place to do it. You can buy aftermarket hiflow cats for about 100-150. prolly like 1 to 1.5 hp gain.