You will gain some power taking off both cats, but I don't know if anyone has a "number" (doubt anyone did a before and after dyno). You won't pass emission tests if you have them in OH.
The springs are just there for the flex joint. Your best bet is to get a flex joint of your own and put that in there.
depending on how emissions work in OH, it might be worth it to get a straight pipe and use it, putting on the cats only when you have to do emissions testing...
as long as you don't get pulled over and checked that is.