I managed to get the link pipe off the end of the silencer, it involved a big hammer and a punch set!!!! I tried the car with just the can on it and its not too much louder, actually a lot of the noise is being caused by the leaks at both ends of the collector so what ever I do I'll be using exhaust sealer when I reassemble it all. I think I'm going to modify it into side pipe and try it as I may as well, I can always refit it to the link pipe with some fabrication. At least if I retain the standard silencer I keep the catalyst. For those that are interested the rear silencer and link pipe weigh 6kgs.