Dougs has great fitting headers with more ground clearance than most any 4-tube header going. 1-5/8" to 1-3/4" tubing are good primary sizes for street headers (Dougs sells 1-3/4" for D-port and 1-7/8" for round-port heads). If you don't mind rusty headers then don't coat them, but I would highly recommend it especially for a higher-cost excellent quality header like Dougs. With coating inside and out the headers will last for a very long time, easily 10 or more years depending on the miles you drive. The collector faces rearward on all of Dougs Pontiac headers.
Don't use header wrap, I have seen more than one set of ruined headers from using it. It causes the headers to literally cook themselves to the point of cracking and tube deterioration.
HO Racing used to make very nice Tri-Y headers, I run a round-port set on my '64 GTO and I love the mid-range power and the ground clearance of the 2-tube collector. Not made anymore I'm afraid.
You might even consider a set of reproduction Ram Air/HO exhaust manifolds for a street-only car with a moderate engine build. They will last forever and have even better ground clearance than any set of headers. Good luck!
[ September 04, 2002, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: b-man ]