KX500 VF2 Reed boot modifications. What works?

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We are finally getting around to this long overdue test.
As many of you know, when you install a VF2 or VF3 Reed on your KX500 you must remove the ears from the rubber boot.
Here is a pic of the stock boot.

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Here is a pic of the boot with the ears cut off..

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And here is what the boot looks like after sanding..

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Most run their VF2's just like the last pic and go on their merry way.
But, is there more performance to be gained by further modifications?
We aim to find out.


But first, how do you remove the ears?
Answer... Saw, and a vice

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That's right... Clamp the boot in the vice and chop those ears off.
The closer you cut the ears to the mounting face, the less sanding you will need to do.

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Sand, sand, sand...

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And I'm sure there are other and better ways to do it, but I use what I have

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Right off the bat, there are some differences in the boots...
Here is 3 boots.
Notice that one is different than the other two...

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Why the difference?
One of these is off a KX250...

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Where to start with modifications?
I've done this method a few times before but I have no data to say how well it worked or didn't work
I'm starting with Moto Tassanari's VF3.
What?
How does that help?
We will start where they left off.
On the left you can see that the intact area is larger on the VF3 than it is on the factory rubber boot.
I want these to match

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First, I remove the little intake tract from the VF3 reed.

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Note how the width of the intake tract is larger in the height and just about right in the width...

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We need to line them up perfectly.

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Putting the piece back in the VF3 reed and adding a couple of small drops of silicone to it is the next step.

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Then, bolt the boot to the reed and let the silicone dry over night.

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After letting the silicone dry over night, I removed the outer plenum leaving the inner piece still glued to the rubber boot.

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Next, I mark the material that needs to be removed.
I used a yellow paint pen but it is not important what you use...

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Next I will remove the material on the boot marked in yellow.
Don't get in a hurry.. just nice and easy...