Pump plumbing

I purchased a new self- priming inground pump to replace my previous aging pump. The inlet port is lower than the existing plumbing, approximately 2/12 - 3 inches lower. Is it better to raise the new pump to meet the existing plumbing, or should I construct new plumbing inclined down to meet the new pump? Or will it even make a differenc

Hi, Could you let us know the make and model of the old pump and new pump? Sometimes there are specific riser that will help out with this issue.