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If you are really looking for big gains. . .look up your local DMV laws. Check and see what your laws regarding sound output and emissions are. If your state laws do not say anything about emissions(whether or not you have to get your car tested or not) then. . .I would disconnect your catalytic converter, run a pipe thats equal to your exhaust pipes through the case(leave the case installed), and install either straight pipes no muffler or pipes and as low as a restrictive muffler as you can find. If there are no laws about engine volume buy pipes that run from your (I have 4) outputs togetheras early as possible(your current exhaust system is 4-2-1(four pipes into two pipes into one pipe into your catalytic converter)). If your state has noise restrictions then it is advantageous for you to insulate your engine bay further(think heat resistant foam in the gaps, foam on the underside of the hood and mylar, also if you were thinking aero mods for the underbelly those also will restrict noise to help you slip in under standards).
Simply removing the muffler boosts your chances to get pulled over if a police officer is having a bad day. Removing the structure however is not necessary. Remove the inards, wide diameter pipe and silencer can equal a higher flow muffler. Of course you will want to consider how much back pressure does the silencer create. Also The Honda dealer that services my fathers car put a pipe through his muffler instead of fixing it because its cheaper and thats what he decided. the effect was no real sound increase and a slight MPG increase(happened two weeks ago so data is not reliable(showed 1 mpg increase but could just have been elevation changes)).
In TN I'm only required to keep my vehicle sound volume down to less than 3 car lengths and there are not other restrictions regarding the above steps. It might look like a cat and muffler. . .but its not. it definitely does not look like a normal exhaust body.
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