Bench pressing never really impressed anyone FWIW. Take a gym guy and put a 7/8" full length pool slate in his hands.. Best of luck.

Anyhow.. I never was unable to put a set of headers on a car. Firewall maninpulation is one thing.. needing a different bend though. Seems like the pipe was rotated/clocked a little off. I'd have done exactly what Scott suggested.

Hope your bend works out.