Any feedback on your experiment?
Actually, from what I can see the cat does a lot of "muffling" of the exhaust note, so unless a complete system is installed, there isn't a big increase in the exhaust note.
I removed the stainless end cap, and - of course - had to chisel the the end plate out as it was spot welded in. Made a bit of a mess, mostly when it came time to try to fit the stainless cap on. Cut the outlet pipe out with 1 1/2 " hole saw, cut a 1 1/2" hole thru baffle, then welded in a short piece of 1 1/2" tubing. Trimmed outlet same as stock, and other than the scuffing on stainless cap, and a large outlet pipe, looks stock. Basically a straight through muffler.
Slightly louder, but the real difference was in mid and upper roll on power.