I used stock 66 Mustang exhaust manifolds because I had them already from a previous car (they are available as new part). I also used a 66 mustang downpipe from pypes and modified them:
The pypes downpipe for 66 mustang which i started as an basis is now modified. I wanted to have some flex pipe just in front of the transmission crossmember and the exhaust hangers will be mounted to the crossmember. This takes movment from the rest of the exhaust...
I had to cut up the driverside downpipe because of my hydraulic clutch setup. If it was a cabel clutch the downpipe could have fit without modification.
I tacked it with my stick welder in my garage, then at a friends place we (mainly ma friend) weldet it up with his TIG.

The manifolds fit even with a T5 bellhousing and T5 transmission (but with custom hydraulic clutch). The car pulls strong, but its for sure restrictive at high RPM compared to a shorty header.
What I like is that you can use the stock securing sheet metal from the 66 manifolds, so the exhaust manifold bolts don't come loose. Beside that they are durable and quite down surface radiated noise in the engine compartment.
I have a stock 2001 explorer 5.0 as basis. If i would step up from the stock cam, i would buy or build shorty headers or log manifolds.
One shorty header that could work is this one (because it is made specific for 66 mustang):
I live oversees... so I have no option to return them if they do not convince me with their fitment...