[A8] Catalytic Converter

[FBFISH at aol.com]

Guys- I have about 90K miles on my 1998 A8. After driving for awhile 
something is getting hot enough for me to smell it when I get out of the car. Of 
course, my wife can smell it before we get out of the car! In any case, I am 
wondering what the consensus is on just removing the converter(s). I do not 
have to contend with emissions testing, and I have alreday disabled all the 
eco  warnings. It has been some time since I have been under the car, but I 
do not recall the location and accessibility. Are there 1 or 2?.  If I 
replace with a straight pipe will I have a noise problem? Other problems?  I 
would appreciate any "been there, done that" advice.TIA
Frank Santoro
1990 V8 gone but not forgotten
1998 A8