Alma

I was considering side pipes as I heard it's a way you can increase hp of your car. I liked one comment I received though about letting your wife burn her legs on them and then get back to us. I didn't get a clear answer on the hp boost.

7t9l82

if you have a late model c3 going from a factory exhaust to side pipes the horsepower difference can be sizeable. Every situation is different and you need to understand that.
There are different types of sidepipes. You can get the factory looking sidepipes covers made. Out of fiberglass that you would be hard pressed to burn your leg on.
I just never let anyone ride with me unless they are wearing jeans.
.so, there really isn't a hard and fast answer to your questions. I believe the highest horsepower sidepipes are the Stahl pipes. And they have been since the 60's

augiedoggy

I made heat shields from the inexpensive patriot side pipe shields the cost was minimal and the never get anywhere near hot enough to burn. Simple header wrap and large clamps riveted to the heat shields under the shields keeps everything secure.

Corvettedave02

if you go with the hookers, don't delete the stainless rocker covers. You can slide them forward past the headers if you take the rear wheels off. Might have to notch the rocker covers like I did, but make sure you leave the front 1-2" otherwise it doesn't look as good