well it looks like the white smoke was just antiseize or something burning off. I'm very surprised my manifold flange actually sealed without the back header bolt in. Guess it's not such a big deal afterall that the thread is messed up.

Now I have a dilemna. See if I can get the passenger primaries bent or sell the OBX and go with pacesetter. I believe there is an issue with the frames on the early NBS where it's not as wide as the newer ones; every issue I came across on this forum of the OBX banging up against the frame was on 99's, 2000s, etc. Mine is a 2000. All I know is I need a header in there of some sort. The increase in throttle response and power was very evident.