Flow masters and a HPP3 were the first things I did to my 97. I was not really concerned with performance issues. I just wanted it to sound like a Corvette. I have been very happy with them, but I drive the car alone mostly so I do not have an outside opinion of the in car sound.
I had them installed at West Coast mufflers in Concord CA. The guy there had done a few of these before.
He cut the original cat back about 3 inches behind the existing flange, and then removed it. He them mounted the Flow master and cut the flange off it, at that same place. Then he welded the 2 pieces of pipe. He said it was just a lot easier than having to struggle to make the kit fit correctly. It has been flawless for me for 145,000 mi.