Hey wstar, remember this pic from my header installation DIY thread, showing how the CBE doesn't line up with the HFCs after I installed the Stillen headers?
Do you think it's possible that you had that issue with the tips being too high because of this (considering you have the same headers/HFC setup)? What I'm envisioning is that the flange of the CBE came down in order to meet up with the HFC flange, which in turn tipped the rear of the exhaust upwards, thus making the tips touch (or almost touch) the rear valence. Does that make sense?