Cat replacement, 2002 3.4

Just wanted to post on here and see if anyone has replaced the cats on a 2001 or newer 3.4, and what your experience/preferences were.

Mine is a 02, and has the two cats; one right after the manifolds, and one slightly further down as it starts heading back to the muffler. Am I able to go to a single cat, or would I need to replace both? I do have a URD simulator that can be used if needed to cancel the CEL.

My goal is to hopefully gain a little throat ier sound while not gaining an annoying highway drone and/or killing my MpG. I read plenty of back and forth on "the engine needs backpressure" and "no it doesn't, just cut them off and go race truck"... maybe a high flow cat is decent compromise?

I have debated going completely straight thru( installing a "test pipe"?), and just welding a bung or using my URD simulator, just worried about the drone and having bad exhaust smell coming into the cab. I don't have to worry about emissions where I live, so thankfully I have a few options.

 

The first question you'll have to ask yourself is, does your state require smog inspection?

 

No, I am in WA and it was done away a few years ago now.

 

If that's the case, do what is easiest or cheapest