For the header guru's: Is it more important to keep the header tubing straight out of the head for as long as possible or is it better to get the 4 tubes exactly the same length?

I can't seem to do both without adding extra bends to 3 and 4...

 

Same length is more important, but these are completely separate topics. The tubes should exit the head at the same angle as the port, but can begin to turn down immediately after.

 

I would have assumed from all of the "intestine" headers around that bends are irrelevent but who knows. I thought that any bends close to the port would be detrimental.....

 

What is important is the angle the tube makes with the port exiting the head. It needs to be a "straight shot," meaning it's very bad to angle the tube off-axis right at the header flange.

About the bend... yeah, no one seems to worry about it.

 

Anyone else????