I want to cut a side discharge opening on right side, add a deflector, and remove the plastic baffle in the center. Right blade turns CW, left CCW. Will this mod allow me to mow tall grasses and weeds?
That will do nothing except destroy your deck. You can not change a rear discharge deck to a side discharge like that. Removing the baffle may help and will not destroy the deck. Cutting a hole in the right side will.