another way i would try first is a mic with full modulation gain,
otherwise, yea you could eliminate parts,might gain a bit more, might pick up more spurious crap from inside the box too. if you rewire and push the circuit harder, it might work, but, if I recall, there is a "modulation booster" kit, already put together that you can just buy and tie into your circuit.
i know you are looking for a specific answer , so i am dis-qualified on new strykers.