Header ears

[Jay_Laifman@countrywide.com]

On the exhaust headers I am trying to put on my Alpine, on pipes 1 and 4,
there are these two "ears" or "fins" that stick out.  Anyone have any idea
of their purpose or need?  They will hit the Webers and the master cylinder
on one side.  Can I cut these off?  There are not similar pieces on 2 and
3.  I've seen other tubular headers that don't have them.

Thanks,
Jay