Put an Edelbrock top end kit on a 1970 cougar convertible with a 351w-2v this summer. Happy with the results, definitely a lot more power. Upgraded the carburetor to an Edelbrock Thunder series 800 cfm, switched the 2v to 4v and added a set of headers/new exhaust. Installed MSD electronics and new wires. Edelbrock carburetors have a nice tuning process so still “fiddling” for the right spring/rod combination but getting pretty close. Also replaced water pump (high volume) and put in a new aluminum radiator (car has A/C and was prone to overheating here in the midwest) since engine had been bored 30 over.
Problems
1)Had to add a hood scoop. Standard air filter no longer fit under the hood and the engine seemed to be starving for air. Tried many different things before I bit the bullet cutting a hole in the hood but glad I did. The hood scoop (found an original eliminator one in great shape) really looks good. 2)The old linkage for the accelerator cable and kick down linkage was difficult to hook up on the carb- eventually went to a Lokar set up (cables/bracket) that looks great.
The kit itself is plug and play. Not sure what the exact hp is now but the car is definitely more responsive and the drive to get ice cream on Saturday nights doesn’t take nearly as long. Next project is to upgrade the brakes which I hadn’t thought would become necessary. Hoping someday to smoke the old 14" tires that I have stored in the garage. Not sure if you need to include the price of new tires:)