Anybody experience this with a 46re?

I have 2001 ram 1500 sport with the off road package. 180,000 miles original. Trans was shifting all over the place. Changed the fluid and filter and the 2 parts next to filter. Added a Lucas slip stuff seemed better. Then the truck just wouldn't pull any hills. I cut the pipe off right behind the catalytic converter and gutted the cat. Feels like I gained a 100 horsepower runs great and trans works better now... just my .002...