wanting some cutouts but don't know if I have enough staight line pipe to install them before the cats...11 inches length needed.

 

tune out the cats and ditch them and weld up the cutouts where the cats were, problem solved

 

The QTP cutouts are only about 9-10 inches long (I think) and are designed to either weld-in or butt-joint against the existing exhaust pipe using sealed ring clamps. That's how I have mine and it works fine. I think the clamps are from Dyno max and a bought them from Summit. I have a single 3.5" installed right before the muffler, but I have no cats to worry about either.
Or, do what zachm89 says. If you install them before the cats you'll most likely need to tune the cats out anyhow, to avoid throwing a DTC.