OK this is a great thread! I am currently in the middle of a RDE-17 myself so now you guys have me wondering. Should I take the baffle plate out? I looked at mine and it in fact has been modified partially meaning that the 1/4" hole in the lower front pan has been expanded to 2" but the exhaust is untouched. Should I be looking for a solid plate and drill the holes or will it matter? Just wondering what the best solution is if I want it to be a runner. Here is an indirect picture of the enlarged hole on mine and one of the exhaust leg.
