bypassing heater hoses

It can and has been done by a few members, but you have to be REALLY carefull and go slow or you will crack the nipple on the waterpump.
Performance and cooling wise it makes no real difference to the engine. (just so you know)
It does however clean up the looks of the motor and engine compartment.

He said nipple, yeehaw. That's good to know Greg, I'll probably go that route on my new (to me) engine.