[Mr Twister]

That intake above looks bad. What is it? I did not catch it as I read thru the posts.
If you are going to run E-heads then you should consider a manifold that best suits the head/cam/intake package. I think that there a lot of posts that go along with the "stock intake is better" bandwagon based on web postings vice dyno time or dragstrip results. There are some proven instances where the iron intake has outperformed aftermarket ones but I think that there is much more to the puzzle. Search here in depth or just call the Pontiac vendor where you are getting the parts and ask them.