There's another option, pull your front downpipes to collector ( you'll have to drop the transmission frame member (not too big a deal support it with a jack, it'll actually hang on the engine mounts by itself but not a good idea to do that). Then get another factory downpipe from ebay or a donor car. Unfortunately, junkyards don't take time to unbolt them, most cut them when they process vehicles. However, if you find a junkyard that doesn't cut them you'll be in luck. Before you put it on, soak the cats in gasoline or another solvent (to clean them) then air it out really good.
Sounds like you may need a new mechanic btw, that would drive me nuts! Unless you're your own mechanic in which case you just scored a new truck and lots of experience. I bought my truck with 220k miles on it and beat to snott. The factory suspension was perfect, except for some play in driver inner tie rod, a shock that fell of hahaha, and former owner had cranked the tosion bars too. I rebuild everything reguardless.
Do they do emissions tests / inspections there?
Yes, along the Front Range. Essentially from Monument, CO North on the east side of the Rockies. These counties:
- Boulder
- Broomfield
- Denver
- Douglas
- Jefferson
- Portions of Adams
- Portions of Arapahoe
- Portion of Larimer
- Portions of Weld