Manifolds vs Headers : Worth the pain?

Header gain on N/A engine, specially stock or near stock is some what marginal IMO. While I feel gain with my BBK LT, I would think there are better mods for the money if you have near stock engine, specialy so if your having someone to do the install. Its not most economical 10~15hp gain if your paying someone.

Shortie - i think is a waste on NA motor.

Headers gain, however, become more pronounced as you modify your car more. You already have blower. in you add ported heads, and blower cams, then header would starts to shine.

So judging by your mods, and since your taking motor out of it anyway, I can't think of any reason why you should not do header.
I'm not big fan of shorties. But have heard in the past that on positive monifold pressure car makes almost same amount of gain as LT(someone correct me if I'm wrong)
So I would do good Shortie(which retains you to use your current mid-pipe) while engine is out. I mean why not? When motor is out, its matter of bolting new header on in place of old cast iron POS. Plus, they just look better then OEM boat anchor anyway....

From what I hear, LT's are the only ones really worth the hassle. In a perfect world, you could suck it up and go through the PITA instal of LT's and never have to bother with them again...but its not a perfect world and as you said it makes it a pain doing things under the car, mostly pulling the trans.

Gains of ~15rwhp typical on a N/A car. Also heard shorties tend to do better with the KB for whatever reason. Sorry I have no "real world" gains to share, but everything has come from these boards at one time or another.

I agree. I've ssen dyno #'s for shorties ona slightly modified engine produce about 4rwhp. That's nothing. If you do it, go long tubes. Headeers and a s/c work well together.