actually I have heard that the cat is the fastest flowing part of your exhaust. Since the cat becomes extremly hot after only a few seconds of running, the air passing through it is heated creating a "thinner" air that may pass through the cat quicker. Not sure about the last part (it was off the top of my head), but I have heard reports about the CAT flowing the best out of you entire exhaust system. dunno???
Gutting a cat would just hinder air flow and create pockets of air that will end up slowing everything down, due to jagged pieces of metal and left over shiznt inside.
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