Rubber Brakelines OK?

They should. I've installed a couple aftermarket cats in different cars and they seemed to work as they should. I didn't live in a smog state at the time, so I don't know if they would've worked well enough for someplace like California or anything.... (probably not - California's funny like that)
 
They do help. I have two high flow cats on my car just for this purpose. Kids wanted to ride with me but they complained about the smell.

State of Tune also plays a role. During cold start warmup, you are richer than usual so that contributes to the smell. Excessive smell could be some mechanical issue (if not tuned) making the car run a bit richer.
 
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If you are not in California just get an off road pipe and cut two cats into it. Passed Texas smog every time with one and no air pump. As soon as I got home and the car cooled down popped the catted pipe out and the off road went back in. The car does not smell like gas in the garage but will make your eyes water a little bit on a cold start up. Biggest issue I found was the seals on my gas tank were shot as was the check valve on the vapor line. Replaced all of those when I reworked the fuel system a few years ago and zero issues since. I will say that a new charcoal canister is in the works as the one I have on the car could be original for all I know.
 
Thanks. I will check my Check Valve and my gas vapors. I just put my transmission back in and my clutch works. I think I put the Throw out Bearing in wrong I had to redo it. Its never been easier with the Transmission Jack from Harbor Freight. I just replaced my rear wheel cylinders after finding my rear wheels finish looked like it got hit with paint remover. I have not driven this car in two years and Im very exited to drive it tomorrow. I'm getting new tires and going staggered with some wider rims in the back. Im somewhat of an amature even though I have taken most of this car apart once.
 
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I run the SS braided lines on both of my cars. They were a lot cheaper prior to the covid BS but as nice as they are I would do it again. I used the MM pieces on the Coupe and Russell on the T-Bird. It's pretty nice they all make the stock replacements, ones for the GT/V6 brakes, and ones for the Cobra brakes.

The stock rubber ones will last a long time if you will flush your fluid every two or three years as that will remove the contaminates. Advantage of the SS braided lines is they are teflon lined and they resist high pressure and temperature better. The later is for lots of braking events in a short amount of time like road racing.