I've been trying my hand at brazing, and will do so at least one or two more times, but I haven't been overly successful with it yet.

There is still going to be a step anyway you look at it. Either one ~90º or a Z with a step at the bottom and top causing flow interference/turbulence. Maybe next round.

In other news, I secured some Manley stainless steel valves, so odds are the head will come off one more time before the turbo.