N20 Mike. I'm running a Hal crossmember, (don't know if that dropped it at all in the cradle, but kinda looked lower), I"m running HPM dropped mounts, (drop it 3/4"). With the super vic, and a 1" wood spacer, I have a drop base K&N air filter, and a 4" filter. I JUST clear the front of the cowl induction hood, by about 1/4". And, that's with just the intake sitting on the block. I'm sure I"m going to lose a little more with the heads and gaskets in place. (at least 1/4").
There's no way a 2.5" cowl will clear unless he doesn't run an air cleaner, /and spacer.
When I ordered this hood, remember, I had that teardrop scoop on there? It hit in the back. That had 4" of clearance inside it.
This cowl measures (measures), 6" in the rear. If it measured 4", it wouldn't fit my application. (don't have a clue how the hood companies or where they measure, but this one fits very nicely.
Good luck on your friends 2.5"!!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: drag79stang on 12/23/01 9:52pm ]</font>