Be careful test flying without the cowl. Remember your cg will change with it on or off. Also, you could risk losing some rudder/elevator authority without the cowl. The big, flat firewall really creates alot of turbulance.
That being said...I love mine....great sport plane. I shoe-horned some 3 inch wheels in the wheel pants. Now grass take offs and landings are a breeze.
Good luck !
