I had everything but the 3" hole saw ($12) and the Paint ($5)
Got everything at Home Depot.

I thought for sure it would sound kinda "janky" and it shocked the **** out of me.
Best "bang for the buck" mod I think I've ever witnessed.

OS

 

There are a couple videos on youtube of gutted cat and mufflers/ You can listen to them before getting rid of everything. I'd take out the cat right away.

 

^ Jay, I think the consensus was the bike did need some sort of back pressure and the cat will provide that.
Also, right now the sound is terrific, as good as any off the shelf slip-on's. My fear would be removing the cat would change the tone significantly and I'm not sure how that would sound.

OS

 

My friend runs gutted stock mufflers on his RG and i have V&H slip-ons and his is a little louder but my mine has a deeper note to it and a lot of people like the way both sound. I think if the cat was removed then it wouldn't sound as good

 

Gutted cats and Vied's are a great first set to making a Harley run cooler, more comfortable, and have better throttle response.

Less upshifting needed, and seems to pull better when loaded up on the hills.

Cheap and easy.