I have 2217s and they hang somewhat low to the ground. I smashed in 1 lower tube before it goes to the collector extension by hitting a speed bump at 110mph....damn city put a speedbump on "aviation rd" where we used to do a little street racing without sending out a memo!
you can sorta see in the pic below, where the rocker ends the shadow is the exhaust coming off the collector.
As for power, the car below, through the full exhaust, runs 121mph in the quarter and has a best et of 11.30. This is with oval ports and 10.5 comp.
what are you going to primarily use the ZL1 malibu for...as if I need to ask!