The Sports cat on a manifold is more than likely the best change on there for it is far less restrictive (just read the Janspeed manifold is 120cpsi from lohen) but the straight pipes 4 -1 have a larger bore and this is another main feature thats makes it alot more free flowing!
hear is a pic of both as you can see the Janspeed manifold pipes are far straighter.
As far as im aware the CAT should last as long as a normal CAT as long as the car is not running lean!
if its running lean then unburnt petrol will be sitting in the cat and will serverly damage it!