Proposed a filter, carb setup

I did look for a spread bore intake.
Limited opinions

Speed master spread bore only good
To 5500
Edelbrock, if I remember, Sticker shock

A friend of mine is a great aluminum welder,

I'm thinking a used Speed Master Chinese Edelbrock knock off
That he modifies for spread bore

at this point I can't get the hood closed with the air filter housing, TQ adapter, nitrous plate, gaskets

No, I'm not ready to cut the hood yet
Holley Street Dominator is an excellent choice and you can get them cheap, because everyone thinks since they're a single plane they suck on the bottom end and that's as far from the truth as you can get.