At a Crossroad...again. If I had only known!!!

Here's my latest thought to maybe bring the timeline in a little and eliminate headaches. I naturally assumed that headers was the way to go for exhaust system for the 340. The engine has a Edelbrock Performer and 850 CFM Carb, relatively mild cam. I will never race the car hard. Should I eliminate the header fitment headache, and just go with stock exhaust manifolds? How much dropoff should I anticipate, and will the rebuild be significantly simplified?

Do you already have the headers or stock manifolds? 340's were pretty spunky from the factory with the exhaust manifolds, so if you aren't going to race it but just enjoy some spirited driving occasionally, stock manifolds will be more than adequate.

Just my 2 pennies..