Years ago I had an Edelbrock "Rat Roaster" intake on my hemi. The thing I liked was the fact it met the "within 1 inch of stock height manifold" requirements of the class I was racing at the time and made awesome power from 3000 rpm up.
but to answer your questions:
1: Of the offerings that are now available by other manufacturers
what are best and why?
Multiple top designs from single 4 bbl to 2-4bbl to cross ram to 3x2bbl or even a 8x1bbl design. As an extra feature you could include internal plumbing for nitrous.
IF YOU COME UP WITH ANYTHING CLOSE TO THIS I'D BUY ONE TODAY