More flow less torque?

[Video]

It seems like the more flow my engine has the less pull it has.

I bought my car bone stock. It had original exhaust, intake, ignition, everything. It was slow but from a stop it would kick you back and you could really feel it pull.

As soon as i removed the cat and put on an aftermarket muffler (Flowmaster 80) i felt less torque, maybe more in the upper end. Then today I put on a Spectre air filter for more flow up top and as i leave after putting it on again it feels like it has less pull.

I think the best word to describe is it feels a lot smoother throughout the RPMs. Its very consistant but it just doesnt seem as torquey/jerkey as it did before.

So whats the deal am i imagining it? Do i need to adjust the air/fuel ratio now? Less back pressure? Usually the placebo effect is opposite where you think your car suddenly has 50 extra HP, not the opposite.