headers or not to headers

Just an observation (hope thats spelled right LOL) Ive been going to alot of shows lately and have been looking for or at 2 things. Headers and carbs. the thing i have noticed is, people either have TTI's (not many, must be the price) or they have Hooker comps. I look under the car and some are "crushed" and some arnt, even if it the same body stlye (I realize suspension comes into play here) but those are the 2 headers i see the most. I want TTI's,but cant afford them (they just look soooo nice). I dont know what im getting at LOL but this is what ive been seeing out there.