Just wanted to post a couple of lessons learned from my recent header install. Hopefully these will help you other DIY installers out there.
First off, the headers fit great. No clearance issues to speak of. The factory exhaust lines up perfectly with the collectors.
If you are working under the car on jack stands, you will need to get the front end about 24" off the ground to drop the driver side factory manifold/cat assembly out of the car WITHOUT disconnecting the steering shaft. The instructions from SP tell you to disconnect the shaft, but if you get the front end up high enough, you can maneuver the manifold out without too much trouble. You need the height to allow the manifold piping to clear without hitting the floor.
The oil dipstick is a pain to snake back into place. I couldn't do it from the engine compartment, so I just dropped it down from the top and crawled back under the car to guide the end of the tube back into place. You need to be a bit of a contortionist to do this, but be patient and you'll get it back in place. Be advised that the well that the tube plugs into is right at the front end of the starter; it took me a minute or two to find it. You can't see it from above.
Be careful to torque the header bolts after installation. 18 ft lbs is the recommended setting. I just reused the factory manifold bolts and I also reused the factory gaskets; I didn't use the RTV that SP provides. I used an air ratchet to remove and snug the bolts. I broke the bolts loose by hand and then backed them out with the ratchet. I didn't want to strip the threads in the aluminum heads.
FYI, I did not remove the spark plugs to do this install. I was just careful not to touch the plugs with either the manifolds or the headers. It can be done if you are careful and you take your time. I'm not recommending you do it this way; just saying that's how I did it. I didn't break any plugs.
Good luck, and I hope this helps anyone who is installing their own headers.
