where is the resonator located on my 98 SE

The Resonator or "Pre-Muffler" as it'* sometimes called is located between your CAT & the Rear Muffler at the back of the car!

now with taking the resonator and the cat off which in turn give'* me no back pressure. i have been told that you need back pressure. now with these parts removed will this damage my engine or lower performance

The resonator has minimal back pressure.. it'* just there to control the sound and cabin drone from the exhaust. Removing your cat you will loose quite a bit of back pressure. A lot of them would suggest to change to a high flo cat.. but the way I would do it first ( since it seems from your sig.. there'* no performance mod currently ) would be to just change the muffler and a high flo cat. later on change the tubing to mandrel bent ones. ( and in which time you'll know whether you want your exhaust louder or not ) in which time you can have them either remove the res fora straight piece or leave it alone.

You don't need no stinking back pressure!

Whack the cat!!

i do i have a 2 1/2 cat back system with magnaflow muffler.out into dual exhuast. check my sig. again it was added to my car 4/28/03