Is your car an automatic? If so, is this limiter you're talking about only come into play when you're in park or neutral? If so it's there to keep you from getting to high with your RPM's so you don't damage your motor. After all your cars motor was designed to be put under load not revved freely. My friends Saturn SL2 has a limiter at 4k (automatic). My car is standard and its limiter is at 6.5k.
If you're on a budget then I'd suggest looking around on eBay for one of the cheaper no name brand catbacks. Then prep the piping and paint it with high temp BBQ paint to keep it from rusting and corroding if you're around snowy or salty terrain.
Here's a decent example:
eBay Motors: 95 96 97 98 99 MIT ECLIPSE NON-TURBO NT CATBACK 4.5" N1 (item 260250126272 end time Jun-17-08 14:00:58 PDT)
Also, check eBay for all your minor needs. Either that or go to a salvage yard.