After speaking with another member a couple of weeks ago and reading previous posts on here I've been doing some thinking and had an idea.

I replaced the standard panel filter ages ago with the K&N 57i induction kit. I have feeds from the front bumper which go to the general area of the filter but I still think that for lower temperatures the old air filter will win and therefore I'm actually lowering my performance with the K&N.

My idea was rather than put the old filter back on and lose the sound (which if I'm honest I think is a bit chavvy, but I've grown to like it!!!) I could to fit some sort of bonnet vent/scoop just above the K&N. I've bought a WRC style spoiler which I'm getting fitted and my bump strips colour coded soon by a local reputable bodyshop so I'll get it done at the same time for not much more money if I go for it.

My question is which is better for performance in your expert opinions?

- Original air box and filter

- K&N with feeds from front

- K&N with bonnet vent/scoop directly above

Any feedback appreciated.

Cheers

personally i prefer a stealth approach mysefl so wud steer away from puttin in a scoop plus think of the eventual re-sale??

unless you are goin to spend serious cash on a direct cold air induction kit of decent quality(think £200!) i wud stick with a panel filter!save your money and use it on something more worthwhile for performance gain,even with a air intake unless its enclosed it will still suffer from heat soak!

ive drilled my air box slightly with a pipercross panel filter and sounds nice,not too loud ,costs a fraction of the price and remains lookin standard win win:thumbup:

For performance only i think the airbox is generally acepted to be very efficent, add a panel filter and its even better. Like you i'm starting to miss that Chav pssst sound so I'm on the look out fot a good cone filter to go with the Ebay CAI.

The Jabba kit is an option and encloses the filter away from the engine whilst using the original inlet feed. Maybe you could make something like this?

Yeah cheers guys. What about the vent/scoop idea in relation to performance gains? Will that allow enough cold air in do you think? I'm not going for anything over the top as it would look ridiculous but with my WRC spoiler going on and 18" alloys next on the list the stealth look has gone now anyway.

As for resale that'll be at least 3 years (maybe even 6 years) away where the car as a standard 11 yr old car will be worth next to nothing. The only people interested will be those who are interested in the mods so re-sale value isn't really a factor for me.

Its up to you mate, not my cuppa tea but everyones different:).

One thing i will say is the scoop may attract a lot dust and water into the filter/ bay. I'm sure you know engines don't like water going into the air intake.