Dan,

a 17" pipe is pretty long (700 series) and I doubt it will be well suited to a short stroke FR if that's what you want to use. If in addition you are planning to turn 10" props, keep that pipe for the AR's. You'll want a shorter 600 series pipe or a Macs 10cc short stroke.

Oh, you hinted at the idea of cutting the pipe. Don't cut the pipe, cut the header. But you know that no doubt.

Beautiful Beetle BTW! You must be Rusty's famous client...

David