Sounds like this must be a CA car. The federal (49 state) version of the car doesn't have a catalyst so if you could get the manifold and a few other things (air filter?) from one of them you could do away with the catalyst. Plugging the EGR is easy, I don't think there is any reason to remove it... just more work.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k