My jeep is an '85 CJ7 w/ the AMC 150 ci 4 cylinder, T4 manual transmission and  30" tires. But the engine has 150,000 miles and needs rebuilt....it has blowby & weak compression. Since I like everything else about the jeep & I am OK with the power, , I am going to stay with the 4 cylinder & just do a rebuild.  I'm also planning to order a Weber carb so it runs better & maybe gain some hp in the deal if I'm lucky. I also plan to install an electric fan for same reason.  I also need an exhaust pipe, cat converter &  muffler. 

Two questions;

1)Doesn't anyone make a header for this engine, & if so would this improve performance on this engine? (I only see headers lired for the newer Wrangler AMC 150's, perhap this is because my older exhaust manifold needs a place for EGR stuff. My old EGR valve probably won't be used with the new Weber carb anyway...will the newer Wrangler header work on my '85 engine? 

2)  Will the engine run OK , or better, without a catalytic converter? )my catalytic converter is ruined by all the blow-by oil & water).

Thanks !