The Corvette's used a different style intake and carb, that maybe why heat wasn't needed on them. On the dual intakes where the fuel hits the intake floor, heat is essential to atomize the pooling fuel. Heat turns the fuel back to vapors as soon as it hits it.
Mine would run great without heat once warmed up and the outside temp is warm to hot. On cool or damp days, it was a bear to start and keep running. Once I added exhaust heat, it acted just fine no matter what the weather was.
Joe
