IMO the porting only really would seem to have utility in applications where stock appearance is desired or where money is really, really at a premium. Before they had 65-66 swap headers, porting the stock manifolds (or modifying other headers) was your only option... so I would have understood.
The Heddman Hedders run about $150 new. They're not the greatest pieces but they work fine. Now, if 6-10 hrs of grinding and dremel work is worth $150 (and I realize to some that it is), the porting might be attractive. But IMO, it wasn't.
Rusty... you've always been a strong advocate of porting the stockers. Any links/articles that show they can actually flow like a decent set of headers?
I would think that the near 90 degree angles alone would prevent even an optimally ported stock exhaust manifold from coming near most headers. On my old stock 351w manifolds, the gas would come out of the port, be angled straight down then have to get swept away at 90 degrees to the rear... even if you widen the pipe thats far from an optimal flowpath (two near 90 degree bends).
Also... I seem to remember people saying K-code exhaust manifolds are noticeably better flow-wise. Might be worth picking up a set of those instead of stock 351w manifolds if that is the case and you decide on that route.