The exhaust shop can dent the collector where it touches the arm, however, I don't have my collector modified. I don't have full turn on sharp left turns -- no interference on right turns. I don't have any issue under normal driving situations; been driving w/ the setup 4 or 5 years. Don't know how much of a dent needed to get full left turn, or may not be able to get full turn regardless of how much the collector is modified. Long tubes that were on the car made it impossible to get the trans out w/o removing one header at the engine. In my avatar is pic of the long tube and shorties. You have to decide whether you want drop bracket or deal w/ possibility of pit arm interference. Ease of installation and trans access I would not go back to long tubes since I am not looking for last bit of power.
I have only a 4bbl and intake on a 302, and thus just looking for it to breathe better and sound better for a little extra HP while the heads are off. I'll probably go with the hedman 84400s and have the shop dent them if they are a serious impediment to the left steering.
No long tubes have the fitment problem as well , I just run mine with the slight hitting on the pitman arm not that much of an issue and denting a set of ceramic coated headers is not something that sounded like a good idea
Long tubes removed from my car had no steering/pit-arm issues, full turns both ways. Long tubes require drop bracket; I had no interference issue then..
C4 has nothing to do w/ needing drop down bracket. If you run long tubes, you will need the bracket if you have PS; not sure if need for manual. I believe it may be necessary w/ either steering setup. I don't think any mounts will have any effect on shortie headers hitting pitman arm, on cars w/ PS. Not sure about manual -- have no experience w/ manual. I do expect an issue there too.
Doesn't the drop bracket lower the ram for the power steering on the frame end? I have seen pictures but not 100% sure on it.
Ditto. I have Hedman longtubes and a Toploader 4 speed, manual steering, no bracket needed. One thing that does help with a V8 is cut the shock towers back to gain access to the heard bolts and spark plugs. If you have power brakes, forget ever installing headers or changing your spark plugs.