Doug's Headers OR ? for mild build 440?

I've been reading the various header posts and like the idea of Doug's ceramic coated, but am concerned that they might be too much for my mild build 440. From what I can find, they are only available in 2". I have a street cruiser 71 Cuda, 727, stock heads with 3 angle, 650 cfm Eddy Thunder, Speed Pro CS-1148R cam. (That cam is 224/224 and 455/455.) From what I have been reading, it looks like I should be going with 1 3/4" tubes. I have HP manifolds, but want to switch for that SOUND! Is there any way to go with the 2" tubes with the 3" collectors, and use a 2 1/2" exhaust system set-up? Or will that create other problems as a result? TTI has a 1 3/4" but they are another couple hundred $. Any thoughts on how I can use the Doug's? Or based on my set-up, any other good quality brand recommendations? I only put about 1,000 miles per year on the car and only want to do this once! Thanks a lot.

i just have the street hedmans on mine, which are alright and install is easier than with 2". wish i would've had money for ceramic coated ones, the elite hedmans are still 1.75/3", but with the ceramic coating for $350...on my wish list

Hooker makes a 1-7/8" header. You can get them painted or coated. Also, IMO that 650 cfm carb is too small for your engine

I'd go 1-7/8, I used the hookers on a car before 5903 or something like that was the part number. I had to do a little clearancing, but nothing major. This was with manual steering and a mini starter. I also have used the 2" hedmans, which had slip flip tubes and are very easy to installed. Although they need even more clearancing than the hookers did.

I got dougs on my 494 and because they are 2" I had a heck of a time with fried insulators on my spark plugs (6 & 8). Had to go to Jacobs cramic to fix the problem. Go with any good 1 7/8"

I have the Hedman Elite 1-3/4 on the 440 in my 63 street car. Its a mild 440 and runs mid 11's using them. Ron