Yeah Mike, I saw that before.
Very nice, but I'm a member of the "trying to break 500 up with an FE club" not 1000. 

Thanks for the reassurance Doug, that's what I was looking for.
My correspondence with Edelbrock was way back when they originally released their FE heads, and we discussed my combination, their dyno testing with what I would call "inappropriate" headers, (iirc they used a set of 2.25 dyno headers on a mild 390 to test the heads) and why they never offered a Victor Jr. appropriately proportioned to such builds, etc.
But more on that another time perhaps. Things have changed since then.

Thank you!
Dropping the drag link, possibly crossmember and sneaking around the steering box sounds for better than another round of dealing with all those header bolts again...
(Reason enough to postpone any progress for far too long)

Intake manifolds. (Yes I own and have extensively studied JB's book.)
Part one:
I have run a 'Sidewinder' with a Holley 780 vac of similar vintage since forever on a warmed over 390. It fell into my possession sometime about 1979 or so.
My discussion with Edelbrock tech years ago had them insisting the RPM was a far better manifold. They insisted the Sidewinder runners/plenum were too big for the application. But this engine was built by an enthusiast (me) who was young and was just beginning to grasp bigger isnt always better. Stuff happens. (Noting, as far as I am concerned, it worked pretty well)
Yet Jay's testing on similar engines showed it to be far closer than I expected.
I have seen it said cylinder distribution was less than ideal. But then isnt it a bit of a comprimise for every intake design?
I guess I am asking... Am I wrong to feel it's probably not a $700+ improvement?
This build is long overdue for some updates and changes, but I am always looking at the total value of the available choices.

Part two: simply rhetorical...
Studying the data in Jay's book, I was struck specifically by the Dove tunnel ram. Totally unexpected broad and flat power curve that impressed me.
I am not interested in a tall two carb rig, but I was left wondering why no one ever seemed to pursue mimicking the obsolete manifold. It did what it did pretty well.

Its been a while. I am dreading revisiting my memories.
I recall years ago seeing images of Shelby American installing FE drivetrains in '67-'70 Mustangs by jacking the rear of the car WAY up and slipping the assembly in to place. If I recall correctly, with headers in place. I realize they would have been 'Tri-Y' style tubes.
Does anyone know if it is possible to remove this oversized mess with Hooker Super Comps in place? This car has been together for ever and I have bad memories...