More exhaust questions

[74rally200]

I apologize in advance for being a little unclear on the termanology concerning the different parts of the exhaust system (muffler, resonator, cat, etc). But basically, I currently have a stock setup on my '74 Spider, apart from a Centerline straight pipe rear section. So of the three "boxes", I currently have the last one in line removed. The problem is that I have a pretty substantial leak now in the first "box" in line (resonator?). My question; how will performance and sound be affected if I cut out that "box" and weld in straight pipe, leaving only what was the center section "box" intact?

[lowmileage]

My .02 on this -

1. you can substitute a straight pipe (stinger) for the last section if you desire a more agressive tone without loss of performance.

2. motors need some sort of back pressure to run most efficiently.

3. I've "read" that Alfa knew what they were doing with regard to the 3 "cans" of the stock system.

4. The first can is more of an expansion chamber than a muffler.

I like to run all 3 cause I'd rather hear the motor sound than exhaust sound.

The Magnaflow sold on the BB runs the middle and end "can" and a lot of people like it.