Ok...where do I start...

So...the rumbling begins...yes, yet another hole in the exhaust...sigh...but this time it's not a cheap hole...it's the front pipe...dammit. So...off to my usual "part's stores" and the majority of them don't carry them...no, I don't want to go to the dealer...don't make me...soooo here I am at the dealer where he tells me that it's going to be $198 CAN (taxes in) for a piece of pipe that is no more than a foot and a half long! Dammit!
So...I rumble away...to my mechanic, to see if he can just "fix" it for a while until I can save the money. But the owner of the garage is there and he says that I need a new pipe, and I tell hime that that is what I was trying to avoid...my mechanic says that they could make one. $161 CAN (taxes in)...sigh.
So...with a stroke of genius I go to Canadian Tire (I love that store) and buy a piece of exhaust pipe about 4" long and two clamps...I cut a slit in the 4" piece about a half inch wide with a hack saw...slip it around the front pipe where the hole is and make sure that the slit I cut is on the opposite side as the hole...put on the clamps and tighten it up...I apply some muffler cement on either end...start the car...Woo Hoo...no more rumble!!
So...I know this is only a temporary fix...but for less than $20 CAN...hey...works for me!
Now...someone at one point suggested I put a header on my car and I would love to do so.
Finally...my question is does a header extend far enough to connect to the rest of the exhaust, eliminating the 'front pipe' in question thus eliminating the cost of replacing it...the money going into the cost of the header...'two birds with one stone'...I guess you could say?

Any input is greatly appreciated...just so you know...I drive a 1990 Civic HB, 1.5L Engine, 4-speed manual.

Thanx for any help...

Magik