After reading and reading and reading and looking at y pipes and it finally sinking in about why long tube headers are better I am leaning towards there now. However, being as I am starting to pack up for my move to Okinawa, I am running short on time. So to compensate, I am having an exhaust shop install the headers.
My prior plan was to do SLP 1 3/4 headers into two cats into my 3" Magnaflow catback. Since I am wanting the long tube heades now, will I still be able to reap the rewards of the Longtube power with the 3" Magnaflow? I know I will see more of a gain with 3.5" mufflex , but I am not made of $. If anything, I would fab up my own true dual 2.5" over the axle into two Hooker mufflers. But I would have to clamp most of it being as I do not how to weld, and an exhaust shop would rape me on a true dual setup.

So the question at hand is: Would it be worth the $ to get the Hedman 1 5/8's installed and keep my single 3" Magnaflow?