Shorty Headers

My main concern was serviceability and ground clearance using a 4-speed.

Yep, same here. There are other performance improvements I can do to help myself more (for MY application) like large torsion bars, sure-grip, gearing, tire size, stiffening.

My header concerns aren’t necessarily getting the most power potential because that would require deviating from my engine approach. I WANT to keep iron heads and don’t want to make the engine make much more power, necessarily.
I don’t want hinderance to accessibility, clearance headaches, and “too much” header for iron head CFM outputs.