You don't need much room between the header and the hose, but you do need ROOM: Mine started to burn the hose, so I dremeled the the short hose off and replaced it with metal flex hose encased in heatshield and still tied it back with zip strips---and I even tucked the hose behind the other heater hose to get it further away. Biggest problem was dremmeling the hose clamp off without cutting into the metal pipe itself.

BTW: heat wrap will burn if in direct contact with the source of the heat, ie. header.

It was a bear to do, but I guess it was easier and less expensive than buy the entire heater hose. JMHO

 

You probably already have the headers on, but if not: I'd opt for fel pros and ARP 1" stainless bolts---I used the 12 pt ones---you should check the tightness every so often anyway----and before you put them on check for flat flanges---mine were not completely flat and had a little leakage---also had problem lining up the egr and had to have tube cut and rewelded to get it lined up....but if that becomes an issue, you better figure out another way to correct the line-up since you can't cut and weld after you have the headers ceramic coated. JMHO

 

When I had these headers on my 97 we cut the gaskets and spray glued them to the headers. Made things easier not having to worry about lining them up while getting the bolts in.

 

They look good. Did you have the flanges checked and/or milled? These headers are known for having warped flanges. I know. I have a set in my garage. I may try header gaskets from these guys: http://www.remflex.com/

Lee
96 Z28