could the intake be holding my low end down?

Exactly.the number 1 reason why guys lose bottom end power with a single plane is the carb is too big. You can usually tune around it, but most guys don't. A dual plane intake will take a bigger carb.

Done correctly, and DP intake loses every time. In both power, driveablity and fuel mileage.

Have to disagree on that one
You can tune around a lot of things but it doesn't mean you've used it up yet, you're just a good tuner. If the cam isnt big, wtf put a single plane on it? What's he doing again? Time and time again, be it *** or real dyno, track, the dual plane in the right application performs well. How does he drive it? Idkoc.
Put nitrous on it, flatten it, pull 5-9 and cross your fingers . Best of luck