All my searches bring 5 year old and older threads. I would think things have changed.
I am considering polished stainless steel with solid polished heat shields.

First: do some brands require cutting the fender or rocker covers? XS power makes a point that theirs do not. Others don't say.

Second: are all inserts removable? I've read where one make welds the insert in. Replacement would be very difficult if you want a different sound or loudness.

Are any made in USA?

Five years ago hooker may have had a fit these problem. Have they resolved that?

I am researching Doug's Hooker OBX a nd XS Power. Any others I should look at?

looming forward to some more current experiences.

Thanks

 

I've been using Hooker brand side pipes since 2009. I've had 2 sets:

1st was chrome, lots of work to keep looking good if you drive much (at least in my neck of the woods). How much you drive and conditions obviously play a role. Rust tends to creep up fast if you put miles on them.

After a few years, I upgraded to polished stainless, much less work in terms of keeping rust down (still need to clean/polish them, but to me seems like less overall work).

To address some of your other questions:

I did have to trim my rocker covers for the Hookers. I believe that depends on manufacturer, but it also may depend on your car - I have read posts where the Hookers fit w/out trimming.

I believe there is a lot of "variation" in these cars, , so always test fit beforehand. A brand that claims no trimming is required may still require it. The same (IMO) goes for the reported quality issues with Hookers - every year C3 is not exactly the same, and all after market parts require test fitting and possibly making adjustments.

All inserts for these type of side pipes are removable. There are a few choices. The ones I've used are:

Hooker glasspacks - flow better than the "base" reverse flow inserts, and somewhat loud (I have a set of those too, but never used them).

Hooker Max Flows - much louder, deep sound. Lots of flow (these are also a glasspack style. Running these right now)

Spiral Baffles - Used these for a few years - cool raspy sound and tunable (doe some searches, lots of posts)

These last two allow for more flow if you run a high-horsepower engine - but be prepared for more noise.

Dougs and Hooker will cost you more - I think you can still get OBX much cheaper, possibly the same for XS. Hooker through Summit or Jegs may have a wait (My polished SS set were on backorder for 5-6 weeks, but that was about 5 years ago).

Hope this helps.

 

I have OBX installed on mine. It does require trimming the rocker just behind the front tire (half moon shape). I added solid Stainless heat shields after it burned the $&@@ out of my leg even though i was being very careful. So shields are HIGHLY recommended. I have spiral inserts to help quiet them down a bit more which definitely helps.