i'll post up the passing smog results when I get my camera back.
the cat took a few hours to take off only because I was trying to do it without having to cut anything. but I ended up just cutting the overlapping pipe from the cat with a dremel and a cutting bit. that part took about 20 minutes.
I got the new cat from rockauto it says direct fit but it was a bit short and had to go to the hardware store to get some nuts and bolts but that was simple and im very happy with it.

we are all pretty much screwed in California.