First off let me say this site is a great resource for us DIYers! I picked up a '97 N/A SE with 100k on it to replace my '96 that some redneck used to practice his monster truck skills on.
White lightening (thats what i call her) started running a bit lumpy and threw a misfire code. I popped open the hood and started poking around.... lots of antifreeze in places its not supposed to be, long story short i ended up replacing both lower and upper intake gaskets (APN kit), cleaned injectors (with my home made 9v battery setup), IAC, MAF and throttle body. The misfire was a bad #6 coil which was replaced. Im very happy with the results. She runs very smooth now. My only problem is that i have to give her a little more throttle than before....i thought that was kind of odd. At the last fill up Im only getting around 17 mpg. I drove her for a few days when she was misfiring until the coil just gave up (before i fixed it) and Im wondering if maybe i dumped to much raw fuel out the exhaust and screwed up the O2 or the cat. I had my foot deeeep in the throttle then. I also checked the fuel pressure and it was 45 lbs key on and dropped to 40 lbs after about two minutes. Running it was around 38 lbs holding and the filter is new. Also when i took off the vacuum line to regulator the hose smelt like gas.
Any help would be appreciated guys! - Roost.

If you smell gas in the FPR vacuum line, the FPR is shot. If the O2 sensor has never been changed, then it would be a good idea to change it. Don't use a Bosh O2 sensor, they don't seem to last very long in these engines. Also check your cat to make sure it'* not clogged up any.

Should i just do the rattle test to the cat or is there another way to check it? - Roost

You could do the rattle test. I have seen where people have drilled and tapped 2 holes, one before and one after the cat to measure pressure.

How about the fuel filter?

The filter is new. Drill and tap the cat and pressure test....sounds interesting. Just put a brass plug or something in when your done or just weld it back up?

Do you have a scan tool available to you? If so, you could monitor the O2'* to see if it is being lazy.

Another thought is no plug wires should be touching the wiring for the O2, if they are, this will cause havoc with the readings etc. I'd double check the wiring to ensure it'* not touching.

I don't have a scan tool available to use and #6 plug wire is not touching the o2 wires but it is touching the sensor itself. I tested my fuel pressure again just to be sure. I taped the gauge to the windshield at took it for a spin. It was anywhere between 39 and 42 lbs while driving. Pulled off the vacuum line at the regulator and it went up to 50..... the line does faintly smell like fuel. If it smells like fuel in any way is it bad? I went ahead and ordered a Denso o2 from Rock auto, the car does have 105k on it. Im putting a system in it right now so i will be posting some pics soon in the audio section.

Please ensure the wire isn't touching the O2 sensor or it'* wiring. The body of the sensor gets quite hot and could melt through the wire. This would likely cause an issue.

Will do..... thanks for the advice.