I'm using the stock engine mount rubber and transmission mount rubber which holds the engine in place very well with very little movement at all. I replaced the factory engine and trans mounts 3 years ago so they are in good shape. The originals might not have held the engine so well. My headers were maybe 1/4" away from the upper control arm hardware and there are no signs of contact so that shows how little mine moved. I would beat back the firewall a bit where your valve cover came into contact. Shame to have scratched it like that!
The only thing I'm really afraid will make your life miserable is the steering shaft spacer you have on there. The header will need to squeeze by that bukly apparatus. =\
|