is it plausible to get an exhaust shop to make me a new header and exhaust in one piece (or not necessarily one piece). Or will i have to order a new header and get an exhaust separate?
Also, can i paint the header or powder coat it and expect it to hold up?

oh, and on powdercoating or painting... chrome dislikes holding paint, powdercoat, or any other coating... i worked 2 years at a powdercoat shop, and saw my boss mess up alot of exhaust systems... if you want to paint a stock headpipe, get one in good shape, take it to a plating shop, and have them deplate it.... the steel is a much better substrate for any high-temp coating.... spraying a coat of the paint on the inside of the top of the headpipe will go a long way towards making the paint last... it "cokes" and insulates the top of the pipe.... same trick lessens bluing up on chrome or stainless pipes...