have ecuflash tune and mbc. i really like the stock exhaust quitness (stealthy) i know my exhaust is the chocking point though on my setup. i was contemplating running a 3 inch down pipe and test pipe mated to the stock exhaust. my question is would i really be losing that much hp leaving the cat back?

 

there are aftermarket exhausts that are quiet, fujitsubo, greddy evo2, etc. do a search and you will find them. there are 4575674568976964768947569 threads on this

 

What he said. my buddy has the Evo2.. its super quiet.

 

the muffler is the most restrictive part of the exhaust system. I would deffinetly change it out.
Being from NH you might have heard of Lou's Custome Exhaust. They do excelent work and its all warrantied. I have brought every one of my cars there for everything from stock replacement on my camry, to 3inch back on my evo. And it wont cost you an arm and a leg either.
If you want to stay stealthy, do like I did. Have them do a 3in back and weld the stock tip back on. Everybody thinks the car is stock. Even the cops.

 

+1, Apexi makes a noir version

When you cut the cat it will be a bit louder, but with a good cat-back, you can keep the dBs down.

BTW, PMed you also.