Weird piece on my exhaust piping?

Me Spec V guy,

I went to a muffler shop and had the guy look at the set up of my car and he told me that there is something that he has never seen before in the piping.

From the manifold, you go a little ways and then the piping gets bigger (maybe 3 inches) for about 6-8 inches, then goes back down to 2 inches.
Then it goes to the built in resonator, then back to pipe, then hits the muffler.

What the heck is this first 6 inch long expanded pipe piece for?

K-

It's not the CAT either.

K-

We call it the cacoon....Honestly we haven't figured that out yet....But I believe it is a second cat.The Se's also have a second cat...

craziness...

Is it legal to take it off?

K-

Originally posted by IwannaSpecV
craziness...

Is it legal to take it off?

K- Yes and no on the legality of it....
But yes you can remove it but just don't let your inspection see that you did cause then they'll probably fail your car on the visual......

We don't have inspections on our vehicle's anymore.
I am in Arkansas, and I have no idea why they stopped inspections.

K-

Well that's all the better...Then I'd say get rid of it...;)

Now there is still debate on what that piece is. It could possibly a heat expansion unit, from a discussion from another board.

K-

hehe living in arkansas is cool, f*ck emissions!
and if they DO bring back inspections, ive still got that covered cuz awd vehicles are exempt from emissions here.