I live in PA, so if any one else is from PA and you have any experience it would be helpful, but im up for anything. I am wondering if a presilencer would be considered as a cat, because they have the new law in PA where they make a visual check, to see if u have a cat. And if i have a header presilencer combo, im not gonna have room to put a gutted cat anywhere if i dont pass inspection, right?

pre silencer isnt a cat, unless they dont look too close. although it prolly wont pass without the cat anyways

Some people take the heat shields from a cat and weld it over the presilencer or just over some of the piping. If they look quickly, it'll pass, but if they inspect it closely or put it up onto a lift you're screwed.

what about the precats? would they pass if i had just one of them?

I'm in PA too and it wouldnt pass with the presilencer. I've since put one aftermarket cat in its place and it passed. He didnt check to see that I have no air pump, EGR, or any of that... just the cat so I guess it depends where you go.