catalytic converter on '88 16V

[Gadzby at aol.com (Gadzby@aol.com)]

Greetings!  I own a 1988 Scirocco 16V with an exhaust problem.  I was told my 
catalytic converter is going bad (metallic rattling sound at 1000-2500 RPM).  
The sound is getting louder week by week.  The factory converter is $800, so 
I'm looking at alternatives from other vendors.  Techtonics Tuning has come up 
on the radar.  They appear to have two downpipe/converter models.  One is 
completely stainless, the other has a stainless converter with aluminized tubing. 
 Does anyone on this list have experience with how either of these perform on 
your 'Roc, and/or how easy they are to install?  The names of any other 
vendors selling replacement converters would also be appreciated. I need to keep 
the car smog-legal, so I'm looking for a solution which will preserve the O2 
sensor mounting point on the pipe.
 
Couldn't find the answers to these questions in the mailing list archives.
 
Thanks in advance,
Grant