Spark plug non fouler trick worked for me to pass emissions... but the cat was indeed dying. Had to cut it off recently. Now I'm debating if i run catless on that side and let the nonfouler keep codes at bay for emissions.
Decisions, decisions... have a friend who knows a welder who will make an "off road" version out of my reminant pipe. Then i can always reinstall the cat equipt replacement section later.