Aftermarket carb for stock air-cleaner?

If you have a thermoquad get a Edelbrock carb. The Holley and Carter have 2 different openings
I don't have any carb yet so I want to get the correct carb the first time. I don't want to modify either the intake or the air-cleaner assy. to fit a carb. I know a vintage TQ would fit if I ground the intake, but I don't want to do that. I don't really understand what you are saying here...