The inside of my airbox:

What are the strips for? To me they look to restrict air by up to 50% and could do with being relieved from the car. I would get an induction kit, but I do lots of miles and worry about longevity and water ingress. I am going to get a decent panel filter, but will removing these hurt anything?

Also, the air intake (with the lid off)

Now, at the back of the intake, there is a massive hole. Looks like air goes in the trumpet and out the back again with the pipe just sucking air from the flow. Would closing that off create a bit of forced induction?

Unless it will blow up engines, my plan:

Remove the strips at bottom. If they are just for leaves etc, maybe a wire mesh in there.

A decent panel filter

Block the back of the intake (not sure on this) put a 3" hole in bottom of box and run a cold feed from behind the bumper, but in front of rad. I plan to put feed facing sideways, rather than forwards, again to protect against water being forced up the pipe.

Would any of this help, or shall I just put in a decent panel and stay out of the rain. Doubt I will get much power. Maybe a bit better mpg? If there is a better sound, it's a bonus too

search is my friend:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/237139-what-does-this-bit-inside-the-airbox-do/

glad I found it, apparently it just pops out. I was going to use a pair of cutters......

any comments on drilling a hole in the bottom and running a cold air feed, or just a waste of time?

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I've seen dyno tests on cars with no air box/filter and they didn't make anymore power than one with a air box/filter so l'd be supprised if you see any power increases. No harm in having a go though.

in between rain and badly plastering a bathroom, I have removed the grate thing. dunno about driving, but idling and revving on the drive, there is a small increase in the induction sucking noise if that's your thing. will take for a spin later after I've finished plastering and reprimanding the kids for a punch up. who would've thought an 8 year old girl could kick ass with an 11 year old boy. girls are vicious!

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Jabbasport removed mine whilst it was having its stage 1 map and a k&n panel filter fitted. I asked them what the grate thing does, and they tell me apparently it distributes the air in the air box so all the filter catches dirt and wears evenly. Looks quite restrictive to me and you are probably better off having it out especially if your fitting a lifetime performance filter.

No problems with mine and It made mine sound a bit more deeper sounding which is a plus but i didn't get any power figures before and after removing. Would of been good to see if it made a difference though.