LA 318 advice

I'm very familiar with that engine. I have a friend I've known all my life with a 70 SS454 Chevelle LS5 car he bought new. I've done quite a bit of restoration work to that car.
I think maybe two differences between the Chevrolet and the Vette. One I’ll ask about, because I don’t really know.

Does his have factory style short cast iron exhaust manifolds?

One I do know about, no way the heads of the General were going to not let the Vette have a higher HO rating.
You know that as well as I do!