I have a 99 Civic with a B-series swap. This may sound stupid but I thought I would ask anyway. Will an aftermarket header like Greddy or DC stick out the same amount as a Stock header? The reason I ask is that the other day I tried to take my heat shield out and could not, The a/c fan was in the way. I was just wondering if an aftermarket header will fit in there fine? I am worried it wont.
Is there anything I can do to get the heat shield/header out without messing with the A/C? And no I am not going to take away a/c.

Here are pics of how tight the spot is: