The shorties are pretty simple, just a large pipe cut at an angle on one end and welded to a square flange on the other that matches the headers. I bought the car used and the shorties came with it. High temperature paint, not powder coat. I touch up the sidepipes, shorties AND wheels as needed, usually about once a year. I've had the pipe and wheels black, red (that was awful) and currently white. I change it up when I get bored, which is the nice thing about paint instead of powder coat, freedom of expression.
The side pipes bolt on/off pretty quick with the four 9/16 bolts, a single gasket and a rear hanger bolt. I used to change them out at the drag strip in the pitts, run the shorties, bolt the pipes back on and drive home.