Hey thanks, we got some good action on this question and I am glad to hear from Streets, actually he is usually right when you filter out the heh, heh, heh and I have seen the inside of a horsepistol myself so I know it is not exactly fun. Going back to the Goodwrench 350 buildup:

http://www.73-87.com/chp/dyno.htm

I found that the improvement over stock was only 26 HP and that they did indeed use the long headers with 1 5/8" diameter pipes. Still there is some improvement and a slight shift in torque to lower rpm so I guess the main thing is to get clearance and take what you get in improved flow. Since I am looking at the $300 range I might as well take a look at the Sanderson headers in the shorty version or maybe just the Speedway stainless steel shorty headers. You guys are great and I am learning a lot!

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder