update: now that I got my car to its proper ride height thanks to a couple of mechanics who kow what they are doing and have all the right equipment... ground clearance really is not an issue for me any more. from the looks of the pictures above the shorty headers do not really look much easier to install either.
thanks for all the information on this matter guys, I think everything in the end will make me lean closer to the TTIs when it comes time to change the headers.