Bob,
Good thinking. I have always thought the inlet side of oil pumps should be improved first before going to HP/HV pumps.
You should be able to silver solder a pipe onto the factory cover. I modified stock BB pumps this way, fitting a 3/4" inlet fitting into the side of the body; had a p/up that exited the left side of the oil pan & was connected with a short piece of rubber tubing to the pump. Bypassed the horrendous stock inlet system for one with smooth flow.
