Best Bang For The Buck Shorty Header?

I didn't have any issues at mockup with plug clearance with the patriot headers I have. They are shorties but not sure if they are clippster. (Have had them a few years). I have my engine moved back a bit and the bed radius for the passenger side exhaust connection was a little tight, and it didn't leave much room on the drivers side at the Borgeson box. They cleared the cable for the clutch though. I am using a set of Headman long tubes with modified tubes now. The fit and finish of the Patriots was pretty good though.

Back around 1990 I got a set of BleckJack long tubes from Pep Boys that I installed with no drop down bracket. They were very close to the ram but didn't touch it. Melted the boot a bit but I had those things on it for almost 20 years no problems other than that melted boot. Steering never seemed to be affected by it.

I have the Hedman Elite Shorty's on my 289 and love them!! At the time of install I had a C4 but have since swapped over to a T5 with cable clutch setup. No fitment issues with either. The only issue I had was that the drivers side header had a pinhole leak in the weld. Hedman customer service was fantastic. I sent them the damaged one back and they sent me a new one to replace it. No charge to me.