Looks like OP was poorly informed.
Secondary cat delete: pointless /money wasted.
Test pipes (primary cat delete): big HP gain and 0 smell if you keep the rest the stock midsection intact = happy driver and happy wife/kids.
So in answer to the original question of "mods that would give me better HP/TQ for the same money":
_Intake
_Pullies
_Test pipes
_Tune
You can do all that for WELL under 3500. I got all Macht Schnell stuff. Soon to get a tune and I couldn't be happier already
