RE: Bud Nolsen Mr Mulligan
Good color selection! Too much black, however, and it will wrinkle quickly in the sun. I agree that doing something out of the norm would be my inclination as well.
The new cowl is on the Pitts now so I can't get a direct measurement, but suffice to say it is just a smidge over 3 inches, say 3-1/4, because the standoffs are 3 inches and those carb bolts extend very slightly into (but not past) the firewall. Also, when the choke is open it extends a little farther, so 3-3/8" would be a good figure to start with. Next time I have the cowl off I will measure directly, but I'm sure that's VERY close.