i take it they are all the same diameter? i.e wont fit into eack other one way or the other?
you could cut off the ends and slide both bits into a tube slightly bigger or smaller,it may help space it out right too
the problem is i think those fixtures are like that to allow some flex in the system,without that flex you gonna work the exhaust loose with lots of blowing etc
unless you go for solid front engin mount to stop the engin moving
but that puts more pressure on your divetrain CV'S ,DIFF
CORRECT ! it is one thing after another!
for me i would stick to OEM manifold i have a 1.8 16v mani fold on my ABF, did the research and was told there is no performance benefit