If it was 2" after it.....then I could only imagine the diameter through the damn crush. In that tiny space a very large amount of exhaust is trying to get through. I wouldnt doubt seeing a high flow cat and new downpipe giving 10hp...
I did the exact same thing only I used all stainless I cut the flanges out of 409 ss on a flame table. It's at jet hot right now should have it back next week sometime cost me $230 shipped. Ill post some pics when I get it back. The 2 to 2.5 in pipe is one reason I did it but the main reason was to get a better 3 bolt flange with a flat copper gasket also to have a straight shot down to my downpipe. You need to tig weld it together really It would be difficlut to mig something like that without burning throught and leaving globs of metal and wire inside the pipe