[s-cars] Cubic dollars and rational decisions ?

[Gene Temkin]

Gentlemen/persons,

Firstly:

So much has been said and written about headers....and I don't mean to be the one who starts a new wave of this but a few questions cross the mind which I would appreciate some cumulative insight with and to: For lower applications i.e. RS2/gt2871/ Stock, is it just as or nearly as effective to Extrude Hone the Stock manifold Vs.using a RS2  manifold ? Then there is the question of what more is to be gained with a true tubular [near] equal length header ? I see 034 has one and now there is this ebay item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUDI-2-2-L-20V-RS2-S2-S4-Turbo-manifold-302ss_W0QQitemZ8060750758QQcategoryZ33632QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Which looks HEAVY and obviously requires a good bit of reconfiguration I am sure there are others out there... But, then I think with the tubular header; what is truly too be gained with this in the application  by and in the use of the "smaller" type turbo options and is it worth the reconfiguration?; unobstructed breathing is always good but then the question of the weakest link comes into play. So, it stands to reason....and I guess this is really my question: Can I effectively remove the -intake/head/exhaust- send all three pieces out for Extrude honing, set up the car with plus or minus RS2 "stuff" and hope to have results similar to what true RS2 pieces would otherwise yield?   Yes, that's it, that is my question...And if not; what logical approach is best employed with and in the basic premise of upgrading the pleasure/performance factor most efficiently, obviously going to steps beyond plug-in play but keeping the car very streetable ? 

forgive the rambling nature of the inquiry

Gene
94S4