Have a 94, not yet boosted. Header looks pretty rotten and sounds like I have an exhaust leak at the cat connection.

Are there any performance losses if I have an exhaust leak? From my understanding N/A motors need some sort of back pressure to perform the best.

 

its going to smell and sound bad.
that's about it

 

I can deal with that for a while. Thinking about taking out the cat if I start replacing parts of the exhaust, but not sure if I care for the exhaust note or possible drone. Any input?

 

yes, n/a without cat sounds like absolute garbage. tin-can/ricer/honda buzzing sound

 

your understanding is wrong.

 

The more you know!