Air Filter Again

Hi All,
Here I am again with this air filter thingy. Was wondering about drilling the cover when I put it back on. I've read about the pros and cons and when I looked at the back of the filter itself I wondered if drilling was really worth it. That screen and the metal piece with all the holes in it seems to be pretty limiting. Has anyone worked any mathematical figures as to the amount of air coming in through the air tube and the amount that can be processed through the filter assembly itself?

I suppose it's maybe all variable but really questioned my delayed decision as to whether to drill or not. What meager numbers that I could come up with were the filter in and out figures (27.75"sq. front and +/- 15"sq. back). I guess the critical number would be the area of the incoming tube and how much air it can process; that's the part I wonder about but don't know. Anyway... any further thoughts???

I did the air filter box modification about three years ago and except for a little more throaty sound I can't tell you for sure that it made any difference.I also removed the tube from inside the box.Before drilling I went the local ACE hardware store and purchased plastic plugs that I could fill in the holes.I believe I used a 7/8 hole saw and purchased 1'' plugs to fill in the(6) holes.
Experiment on some material before drilling out the box.My main concern was running in a lean condition.I have removed the spark plugs on occasion and they appear normal. The MAP sensor should take of this. Also if your s/wing has a 02 sensor this would even be better. Howard

Thanks for the reply Howard,
I decided to put the filter back in that I'd cleaned up plus drilled a few (six?) 1/4" holes on the flat just above the "bulge" on the case; more for curious experimentation than anything else. Anyway, the engine started fine and ran well too; still no dying out like I experienced a week ago, plus wanted to prevent any possile 'lean' problems like you mentioned.

If I get real lucky, maybe the weather will warm up a bit and I can take it out for a real test. Will keep y'all posted.

I doubt it but I'll ask the question anyway... Can the stock SWing muffler be modified in any way without destroying the basic shell???

What year were the mufflers made Cat?

DickO wrote:

Can the stock SWing muffler be modified in any way without destroying the basic shell???

When I put my Silvewing on the dynometer, they had to place a small flexible pipe through the muffler to get an accurate exhaust gas measurement.

I believe the rear pipe near the exhaust is perforated, because it took them a couple of times to get the flexible pipe through.

I seem to remember reading a long time ago that someone with and older model, the internal pipe disintegrated which they thought it improved the pressure at the exhaust.