-My current setup is pretty much the same, however I did order the test pipe. Jeff as well as other Nico people said keeping that fake cat is restricting the flow from the headers to my exhaust. (3inch header > crappy cat > 3inch exhaust.) Car still sounds the same. Since the meet Jeff and Steve both recommended copper sealer. Did that, still sucks ass.
(Jesse I know your going to jump on this one, because you told me about the header walls, but Steve has the same header and he doesn’t have the problem/irritating pulsing noise)

-No exhaust burns (750 miles later), -No codes. I’m going to find a mechanic soon to get that test pipe installed, unless someone has an impact gun? If it’s going to the mechanic I’m also thinking about welding that egr valve.

Yea I devoured the Nico forums, as I'm there pretty often. Now I have to read onto fresh alloy, which will take some time.