Headers vs 340 manifolds

I think you'll be fine going with shorties although you want ones that aren't "block hugger" type with the outlets pointing straight down; having the outlets angled backwards instead will be a great benefit because you can have smoother bends with the downpipes and keep them the same ID as the collectors. I had to use angled collector extensions from Sanderson iirc to make it all fit with the Hedman Tight Tubes which required the diameter to neck down right off the headers.
I was only considering the Hedman 78500 vs the Dougs D453. Those generic block huggers just aren't worth the hassle even if you could get them to fit.

I've seen and worked on a coupla vehicles with the shorty headers, and would like to see any shorty header to pipe connection on the driver's side that doesn't take a lotta fabrication, and doesn't end up looking like the plumbing under a kitchen sink, as I mentioned in an earlier post.
I very much doubt any come near tuned, have so many tight restrictive u-bends, and I had to fab that drivers connection on ONE set , it took longer than installing efficient long tubes, at near the same cost ! !
JMExperience .
Eh, all that matters to me is that it works and I have great ground clearance. Honestly I think I can do the Hedman shorties considerably cheaper than some Dougs since I can do all the fabrication and welding myself.