1 bar is metric and = approx 14.7 psi

i started hitting fco @ around 10lbs it varies from day to day depending on many factors

The function of the first cat is for cold engine emmisions control. Once the engine is warmed up, the second cat is doing the work. That is why you can easily pass the emmision tests. The engine is all warmed up during the test.

You can remove it and still pass the test, as long as the tech does not catch the fact, and fail you for a missing device. Most (95%) will not even know it was there.