There are MANY grades of Stainless Steel. Most of the industry standards for exhaust are T304 and T409, most are actually 304 which is a cheaper version. It is majority stainless compounds but has far more mild steel in it than say 409. The stronger the stainless steel the longer it will take to create any traces of oxidization due to the harder compounds. Stainless for auto exhausts will eventually get surface rust because it's a cheaper quality, but it will NEVER compleely rust through like mild steel!FACT!
Stainless has awesome heat reduction characteristics for reducing underhood temps, but nothing like Ceramic coated headers.
My suggestion is to stay away from the polished SS headers unless this is a Sunday driver car that sees the sun only. If that's the case I would highly reccomend ebay and get the Polished SS C.A.M headers for $349 (CAM is the brand name)
Otherwise I would reccomend the Ceramic Coated BBK or MAC headers. I have heard you will not need to remove MAC headers for a trans. removal for a clutch change, but I don't have first hand experience. I have BBK's and will def have to remove atleast one to get the tranny out. I don't think MAC's will fit automatics????
I got mine from THR (texas hot rods) Super cheap like $425 shipped

 

thanks for the opinions. i guess i will go with the ceramic coated. i did not know that there might be removal issues just for a clutch change though.