Yeah will make sure that's the plan when I call the shop tomorrow.

As luck would have it when I was under the truck looking at the sensor area I found a new coolant leak. Can't see the actual source bc it's running down the back of the block after doing a pressure test. Hoping it's not a freeze plug, but hoping the shop could find it if they're taking a manifold off. Certainly mostly dry near the water neck and pump and timing cover.

 

First the legal part. Per federal law regarding emissions equipment, if it came from the factory with it you are required to keep it on the vehicle and in working order no matter the age of the vehicle. Performance wise, cat delete on that motor will gain you exactly nothing. When I bought my '96 the 1st owner had removed them. I had to put them on to pass the state saftey inspection. The truck ran better after I put them on. You'd have to be well in excess of 400bhp to gain anything from removing them. Even then it is very easy to build a motor that strong and keep all the emissions, without losing hp. Plus if you've got the pass through rear glass you won't get headaches. Ask me how I know. If you really want to free up the exhaust, replace the factory manifolds with after market.

As best as I can tell, this cat delete thing became popular because of GMs first generation catalytic converters. There was a very mild performance gain removing them. Ford has used a different style and they seem to flow better. Only other reason to delete them is if they get clogged and you can't afford new ones