modified intake

Yes, it's been done. See the parallel 2bbl setup article. Photo documentation of a very well done such conversion is here. The 2280 is an OK carb especially if you find a brand new one. Same mount pad also accepts Carter BBD or Bendix Stromburg WW. You might want to consider modding the manifold for the larger mount pad of a Motorcraft 2100/2150; see this thread and this one. That would wind you up with a good-running setup and an appropriate air cleaner would be easy to find. Also see here and search this thread for "motorcraft" and/or "2100".