1986 jx. 
Background: jx is new to me and otherwise stock, $300 in Arizona just north of Mexico, I’ve yet to drive this vehicle or check compression, but it seems to run decent, also, I’m new here and this is my first posting)

Scenario:
My stock & original muffler is blown out so, I'm considering buying a $45 dollar "Maremont Super C" muffler / tail pipe combination from my local checker auto.

Has anyone put this on, and what your opinion?

Am I better off, sound and performance-wise, spending the $ on just a decent muffler and clamping / welding it on?
$ is a concern, I do not want a tinny rattle, but would be OK with a stock sound/performance. Or is that a tinny rattle too? 

Lastly, there are no emissions requirements where I live, what’s your on removing the converter vs keeping it?

mine was a $600 wonder car.
i figure $45 will get a muffler on it. not bad, and done with.
i'm sure you will find more places to dump money into it, and that may include a whole new exhaust setup, but at least it'll be quieter as you play with it and decide.
sounds like you got a good desert runner.
richard

I've heard that in California if they pull you over and the cat's missing they will fine you, even though your from out of state. I have also heard that they have a pollution monitor that checks you as you drive by, so they can fine you that way too. Just another money maker for the government I reckon. The cat gets rid of one pollution and creates another, it's all just a money game.

I don't see myself driving to CA.
In AZ I intend to hang around Cochise County, perhaps western NM, and Mexico.
Of these Mexico is real loose <unrestricted>.
If removing the cat gets me more mileage and better permormance, I'm all for it.
Thanks for you input, I appreciate all the help I can muster.

california may have some weird policies, but they don't have the smog police out looking for violators.
they do require smog checks to complete registration for on road use, and have an off road registration system also, so if you trailer, you can run pretty much whatever you want.
every 2 years i have to put all that smog stuff back on.