does anyone recomend running straight pipe from turbo back with the 2.0T b7?

If it's legal in your neck of the woods it's an awesome power increase. Combine it with the APR program to remove the CEL it's a great setup.

Anything that will reduce the presure difference from the front of the turbo to the back will be a big help. If you still want a cat, use a less restrictive cat and put farther down stream.
Test pipes make a big difference, (it does on my 1.8)