Pre-cat bypass vs. secondary cat bypass

[harryrcb]

I have played around with my exhaust as well, started with my 97 2.5, put ebay headers on. really felt the difference then I bought a 04 S so immediately put on the ebay headers. felt absolutely no difference, a slightly better tone but that was it,
Next I flashed the DME and added cold air intake with some great results. in an effort to make it better I eliminated the mid cats and added a Borla muffler, sounds great but definately lost that low and mid range torque.
since I put then on together I dont know if it was the elimination of the mid cats or the Borla muffler? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
BTW I just removed my headers to have them ceramic coated and noticed that Borla welded a venturi shaped piece of metal in the intake side of the muffler that really reduced the size of the pipe, I'm wondering if that has anything to do with the loss?
ANY opinions will be greatly appreciated