I read this thread from the first to the last post, what I see is a bunch of guys try to explain and calculate fluid dynamics.
What I don't see, are any real numbers - like dyno sheets. With or without turkey pan / larger or smaller filter.
To bust some of the bubbles here, the efficiency of an air filter is altered by 25% in the first 6 month (not in Nevada or West Texas - more like 35%).
Many numbers swirling around about CFM and RPM. All manufacture numbers are based on a stoichiometric air–fuel mixture. Well, most carburetor guys just can dream of it. So, take 25% of the number and let this the base of the calculations.
A good motor performance is not created on the internet nor just on paper. Many "internet engineers" don't realize that. They even believe Wikipedia is correct in all fields.
Trial and error is the key, so if someone would provide some numbers here to make this thread more substantial.
Thanks