I think you lose more TQ than HP from removing mufflers. I would look into some magnapacks/SLP mufflers or maybe even dump the exhaust if you really want something louder. Yeah, you will have a gas smell and yeah some dont like the dumps but some do like it and the downsides dont bother them. That may be a cheap route for you to look at.
And to be fair, I have heard people that like the sound of straight pipes. Your opinion on the sound is all relative to what floats your boat. That too may be something you can look into cheaply and easily just to see if its for you.
One other thing, not trying to flame. But these numbers that everyone uses as their bible in the sticky are from a magazine. Magazines are rarely accurate and often biased. Take all those numbers with a grain of salt. I'm sure they are good to give you an idea but I wouldnt lay my life on the line that they are completely accurate.