Cool thanks for the info matey! Is a cone a better idea than a panel filter from a performance perspective?
most people suggest that a 'modified' airbox with a uprated panel is the way to go (i.e. drill holes in the bottom section on the side closest to the wing, provide more of an intake route (i.e. wider ducting) and smoote out the box by filing down all the raised bits in the box. (the latter maybe not so useful) ... open cone will provide a touch more 'grrrr...' noise. The biggest reason for this is that an open cone will suck in warmer air from inside the engine bay. its debatable whether that
actually matters on a turbo charged lump as the turbo heats the intake air so much that the intercoolers (further down the system) cool it back down anyway and so people take a 'who cares how hot the intake air is' attitude. The simple fact of the matter is that if your supplying your engine with air, its better cold than hot as cold air is denser and thus, packed with more oxygen for combustion. Even though the turbo heats it and the coolers cool it, its better off if you start cold as then everything doesnt have to work so hard to maintain the intake temp, and so for that reason i would say the modified box is the better solution, even though the difference may be neglegable. Its not unheard of for poeple to suffer heat soak on pulling away, say for example after being sat in a traffic jam, everythings heating up so much that the open cone will take in so much hot air that you suffer from an unbelievable power loss. The box could in theory provide better protection from air contaminents aswell. I believe that the R32 CAI pipe is much wider than ours and can be made to fit if you want an 'oem' look, or just general ducting.
