Even a small increase in section on the suction side is a pretty substantial gain.
What you did certainly helped, but like you said it might not clear a stroker but if one is a it resourceful I’m betting it can be done.
In one of the Chrysler engine books there are a couple of graphs that show the increase in pump flow with bigger suction side piping. I forget which one it is.
This situation is buggered up by the center sump pan. If you can find and use the Milodon Super Stock pan (which is rear sump) you can fit a 1 inch pipe for the suction side right into the cover of the pump. Milodon made the covers. And if you really wanted to add some more area you could add a second pick up in the original location.
