408 build and results.

No to various spacers and bigger carb...... time was limited on the dyno. We did jet up the carb several sizes to get the AFR we were looking for.
The intake is port matched to the heads with a little internal work...not much though. I think there is some to be gained with the intake.
My backorder came in after the dyno session so I have a actual Edelbrock Air Gap for it now. Going to hog it out and port match that intake and put it on.
I wont be able to get it back on the dyno but my head will say I picked up 15hp :)
I’d do what crackedback said and what d call 15+ all day EZ. Use the tapered spacer as thick as hood clearance allows.
I don't have the block here to measure exactly, but at zero deck height the summit calc puts me at 14:1 with .045 compressed thickness and 11.45:1 with .120 compressed thickness. Which makes complete sense because with OPs +20cc dish the calc puts him at 10.36 with .045 gasket.
14-1!!!!

Yikes!!!!