I don't know if they have always been this way but the collectors do not have a welded on flange. The end of the collectorgot a rolled bulge in it that captures the collector flange and the adapter is got a cone shaped end that matches the rolled bulge. they fit together with no need of a gasket and no leak issues, plus it provides for a little more flexability during installation.
No, they allways have not been that way. This is a standard feature on the Elites. I have a set of those on my 400 in a Magnum. Basicly, the Elites are standard small tube headers w/a thicker flange and pre coated.
I would prefur a set of tti's, but it is hard to justify the price difference over the Headmans. Performance wise, theres an edge, but not worth the benji's to me at this point.