trying not to derail your thread alix, but you may have to club me for this.
if you roll about 1 inch out of the frame rails the e-rod type manifolds look perfect and according to spec fit awesome....
http://www.jegs.com/p/Hooker-Headers/Hooker-LS-Cast-Iron-Exhaust-Manifolds/1918563/10002/-1
i dont see too many issues.
i wish someone local would bring me one to do a swap on. i have offered and got close, but never panned out yet. same thing on a 5.4.....i would need some serious time for one of those though.
granted this twin turbo build alix has is out there...or not actually for an ls, (its out there for a junkyard 351, 302 or 350 because it would be a ticking time bomb before it split in half)...but he is also doing it with very tight restrictions using stock steering location and rag joint and low/no body lift etc and wanting it to be sleeperish.
for a sas or lifted 4x4 rig its not too bad. stupid easy maybe...
by my measurements from a jeep swap back in 01-02 i had it figured a bit more difficult (van manifolds on donor ended up with camaro stuff iirc)....but after seeing several ranger and s 10 trucks and mustangs in person, it looks quite a bit easier fit wise then originally anticipated for sure. the fead is limited and i dont like a aluminum pan at all for a wheeler but it can work no matter what.
great pics here with various applications.
http://www.holley.com/8501-3HKR.asp
this style flipped for twin turbo would be cool looking too....
anyway, like the stock truck manifolds the hookers are supposed to be really nice to cut and weld. i seen the cut and reworked manifolds in a ranger(strip application) and several other vehicles at koh last year.
at the fast ford weekend several years ago there were several mustangs with their original headers reflanged, and some had the 351 windsor distributor setup and big carb on top. some lower budget builds were 10 second door slammers on radials through quiet mufflers with ac. guy claimed he was under 5 grand total including buying the car....
and people wonder why i like the platform
not sure if reflanging your 302 early bronco or fox 351 headers would be a cost effective way to get exhaust in a ranger with a ls type engine or not but its a option.
only one way to find out.