Can current 1320 LB SLSA be upgraded to a higher gross weight, if the aircraft was designed for a higher MTOW in the country in which it was manufactured?

Downgrading SLSA to ELSA to Increase Gross Weight. “14 CFR does not prevent an owner of an ELSA from altering its aircraft, including alterations to increase gross weight above the original design gross weight, without OEM approval of that alteration.” This would also apply to alterations that increase grow weight with OEM approval. More specifically, 14 CFR 21.191 does not include a requirement to meet the definition of LSA or the eligibility requirements of 14 CFR 22.100 for issuance of the experimental airworthiness certificate, and 14 CFR 21.181does not require this for the ELSA certificate to remain in effect. Unless the ELSA certificate specifically includes an operating limitation that prohibits a weight increase, 14 CFR does not prevent an owner of that aircraft from altering its aircraft to increase its gross weight. If the DAR issued an operating limitation for 1,320 pounds, the aircraft owner would need to apply for an amended certificate to remove that operating limitation. Unfortunately, revisions to FAA Order 8130.2 that clarify this point continue to be delayed by the government shutdown and the resultant bottleneck of draft publications.