I started out when headers were expensive. Got ported manifolds, they hardly amount to anything. Totally worthless IMO, they don't take care of the true front manifold restriction and the rear porting...it's a joke. I had a big build with headers and loved them. Now I planned on barely modding a car and plog/dp fell in my lap. I'm using them w/o worries. The rear manifold isn't a restriction in our exhaust. The crossover isn't a restriction either. The main issues with our exhaust are front manifold and the u bend. Fix those and you are pretty close to having headers. If you go big, go headers otherwise.. plog/dp if you can do it for the same or less.
Install. I never use a lift or ramps. A lift would be nice, but if you are doing the install on ramps...you might save more time and effort if you used jackstands and lowered the cradle a touch.
