OBX/Maximizer Side Pipes?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
Hmm. I wonder why such mixed reviews. Some guys absolutely love them then others hate them. Think its just poor quality control? What pipes do you recommend? I have seen just as many complaints about the Hookers as I have the OBX pipes.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Glendon Alberta
Price
I've read lots of bad about the others too, which pushed me to the cheaper alternative. For mine the header bolt holes were off, front and rear tubes, inside bolts, on both sides, when mounting to profiler heads, almost half a hole. Fixed with die grinder, left enough meat for arp bolts to hold in on. The pipes themselves don't mate up to the car, have 2 hangers, could only use one, cannot properly tighten tube to header either, leaks there.
I don't know anyone else with a c3, let alone with side pipes, so I was shooting in the dark anyhow. I do think it sound great. But fit and finish leaves lots to be desired, in my opinion.
For 1/2 the price... I'd be twice as disappointed if I spent extra cash and got same result
I don't know anyone else with a c3, let alone with side pipes, so I was shooting in the dark anyhow. I do think it sound great. But fit and finish leaves lots to be desired, in my opinion.
For 1/2 the price... I'd be twice as disappointed if I spent extra cash and got same result
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
My Hooker stainless steel side pipes are now 5 years old and they still look good. Yes they do some times need a polish but a little tube of semi chrome and a cloth they are good as new. The only problem with all side pipes is if there is a little bit of water on the road they get muddy, and in the rain expect to have to wash them off as soon as you get home...
Last edited by Bangkok Dean; Feb 19, 2015 at 11:25 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The thing with the bronzing is it's typical with heat cycles and mileage. Same with the blue/rainbow type colors up by the engine. Some is caused by lean conditions with then engine tuning. A little polish can clean that up quickly but will come back. Just how it is.
Now in my case with the photo I posted, this is something else that's different. The rusting/browning is something in the metal as you can see. It's splotchy and returns in the same spots after I polish out. I attribute it to poor metallurgy when making the stainless steel grade. I can't expect much more from a much cheaper Chinese product. What I do expect is decent customer service through the vendor and the company which doesn't exist! From emails to phone calls with messages left to letters mailed and not a single reply.
A lot of people have had good luck with the OBX/maximize brand. I'd probably buy another set and take the risk considering the price you'd pay for a set of hooker stainless steel sidepipes.
good luck with whatever route you take and post pics!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I may try my luck on the $799 Maximizer pipes without mufflers. I just really need to get some pipes on this car that doesn't make it sound like your grandmothers sedan. It is EXTREMELY QUIET. Definitely not what I'm used to.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
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From: Calgary Alberta
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
I just ordered Maximizer non-resonated side pipes, Mr. Gasket 5901 Ultra-Seal Header Gasket, and ARP header bolts. Looking forward to getting them on the car.
For anyone who has already installed their side pipes, did you go ahead and remove the A.I.R. pump?
For anyone who has already installed their side pipes, did you go ahead and remove the A.I.R. pump?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i had long since removed the A.I.R pump. you need to order the t bolt mounting hardware for the hooker side mounts you can get them through Jegs or Summit. you may need to tell them what they are for.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
The kit I ordered actually came with the mounting hardware kit. When you removed the AIR pump, what all was required? I tried finding a good how-to but couldn't find a detailed one. Mostly people debating if it should be done or not. Also, is there a difference in the smog and AIR pump or just two names for the same part?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
The only place I could find the non-resonated pipes was from an eBay seller. When I take the AIR pump off I saw on one write up that the lines coming from the thermostat housing need to be plugged. It looked like there were two different attachments on the housing but only showed one needing to be plugged. What is the other attachment for? Does it also go to AIR or to something else? Wondering if I should buy a new "attachment-less" housing and just replace the stock one. Also, do the bolts on the water pump have to be replaced with shorter ones? If so, what length? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
Pipes are on! I hit several snags, and install took about 21 hours total spread over two days of working on it until 4 in the morning. They look great, they are super LOUD, and performance wise you can really tell a difference. That stock exhaust completely chokes the engine. Very pleased with the Maximizer pipes and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to run side pipes.