Exh manifolds in an Early A...

Which "cheap spitfire headers" are you referring to?
Only type (Tri Y) being made I know of are old Spitfire design made years ago by
an guy named Harold in his back yard. Now Laysons is making them I believe
they are 4-5 hundred bucks? Sometimes posters have said there are discounts
available for Dougs headers thru Auto Zone I think. Anyhow Dougs are very nice.
They will cost a bit more as they are better than the Laysons.