New to me 06 Tacoma and need some direction

Hi all. I just got me an 06 Tacoma and have a few questions. My check engine light came on and after reading the code it is a PO420 catalytic converter issue. I understand the legal issue with keeping cats but that aside, I live where we don't have emissions. I would love better performance and better gas mileage so what would yall recommend? Options are. Gut the cats and put them back on with a exhaust sensor fooler so my check engine light isn't on? Or go with some Flow Masters or similar? Or go with new stock cats?
Second question. I noticed a small leak where the driver side CV axle fits into the trans, do I need to replace the axle or do I have a bigger problem?
Thanks for any input

 

Welcome to TW! Post your questions in the 2nd Gen section and you’ll get more responses.