How Much???

[gmc4x4]

I have an '89 GMC and would like to change the exhaust on it. So I went to a local muffler shop today and they told me that I could get a flowmaster 70 dumped before the axle for 100$ which I thought was a reasonable price. They then told me that a high-flow catalytic converter would cost 185$!!:eek: He told me that it was that much because it used 2 7/8 inch pipe. Was he just feedin me a line of :bull: tryin to get a little more $$$ out of me, or was he telling the truth? I always thought that it used 3 inch pipe but wasn't sure, could someone tell me if this is about how much a new cat should cost installed. Thanks.
Wes

P.S. I don't have too much expirience with exhaust so hollowing out my cat isn't really an option.

[astroracer]

The size of the pipe in the converter should have NOTHING to do with how much it costs and, if he is telling you he has to "order" special pipe to plumb it, you had better go to a different shop.
Any good muffler shop can expand 2 1/2" pipe or Swage down 3" pipe to plug in that converter. It's done every day and if he is trying to screw you don't give him your business.
Just a little info here too... If you aren't going to headers or a higher flow crossover you are spending money on a high flow converter that you don't need. The stock one will work fine if it's in good shape. All you really need to do is yank out the stock muffler, put a 3" pipe in it's place and then split that in front of the rear axle and run two 2 1/4" duals out the back. It'll sound great and shouldn't cost more then a couple hundred bucks.