Do Shorty headers fit factory exhaust?

So here's the thing about the hobby (any "hobby") your going to spend time and money. Time and money you won't get back. As long as you enjoy it, thats okay.
Imho you'd be very hard pressed to find someone on this forum that from your age to now that didn't make a mistake and have to rethink there plan and essentially buy the same part twice (or more!).
Case and point - I didn't want the 7 1/4 rearend that came with the car and bought an 8 1/4 and when I upgraded the motor I figured I needed an 8 3/4, well come to find out that 8 3/4 broke because of the upgraded motor and transmission and now I have a Dana 60. With all that said I should have spent my money on the Dana 60 first ? but it's a hobby and a learning experience could have saved myself at least $1,500 or more and my time ? That money is not growing on trees here either.
It may be time to just bite the bullet and and buy the long tube headers that you probably want for $120 off of Summit then go to harbor freight and buy a $20 Grindr and cut the exhaust off where the long tubes end. Then you can spend $99 or less on a wire feed welder at Harbor Freight to weld things underneath which would still be cheaper than having it done and end up with with a new tool combinations that will make you more money helping friends and family fix exhaust and other things? And a new skill...
food for thought - something to ponder