JD44,
That sounds like a sad tale with the problems going to LM. And yes I know from experience that not all engine rebuilders understand the TC.
I had to reduce the dia to fit the air box cover so It's alway run like that. It's was mapped as the pics show.
I know from my playing with kart and MotoX engines that the better the filter is the longer the engine lasts!
I do realise that things are a tight fit around the TB's on your engine but as an off the wall suggestion, could you what they did on the Escort T/C and off set the engine towards the LH side of the car to make more room for the trumpets? Or as Lotus did with the Elan fit a different engine mount on the RH side to give the carbs more room. Every little helps.
Burgundymog, yes engines run fine without air filters, they just don't last as long. If you are going to keep the car it's much cheaper to fit a good air filter than to keep rebuilding the engine!!
YMMV.
Cheers
John.
