I say "I'm not going to mod this car" every time.  However listening to the induction noise with the airbox apart has made me reconsider.  There are lots of people on here running open filters, CIA's, shielded filters, modded airboxes etc so would like to know a few things.  Tried a search but not coming up with much. 

 

I don't want to spend multiple hundreds to get the noise but am concerned about running an open filter due to heatsoak issues. I could go with a standard airbox, panel filter then take a 1" drill to the inner wing side or run a larger pipe lower down.  Cheap CAI behind the bumper but increases the chance of taking water on board.  Or just sod it and run an open filter.  Anyone have any input on this? 

I bought a remapped mk1 that had a CAI right down in the front bumper, I moved it to just an open filter in place of the airbox as it was the cheapest non stupid solution. The sound is almost identical to the £200 induction kit fitted and I've not noticed any reduction in power compared to before. I know the stock airbox is good but £30 vs £5 cone filter made the cone filter more attractive to me, especially as I did this change in winter! 

2 minutes ago, yesiamtom said:

I've not noticed any reduction in power compared to before. I know the stock airbox is good but £30 vs £5 cone filter made the cone filter more attractive to me, especially as I did this change in winter! 

 

Its not so much any loss of power when cruising but the running issues when taking in warmer air in standing traffic and summer.  Had a V6 that hated an open filter until it started to get some fresh air.  Stuck the standard air box on and it was fine.

I bought an eBay CAI pipe, and stuck a K&N filter on it, sits below the headlight. Get more induction noise but no noticeable gains or loss in power, except when it's freezing cold and it somehow feels quicker, although maybe that's just my perception. 

 

The noise isn't massively louder either, but you can hear it well from the drivers seat. 

Edited 8 February, 20179 yr by Saints92

Engines will always perform better in the cold due to the density of air and lower charge temps from the increased intercooler efficiency.

 

I was looking at the cheap CAI pipes but am currently leaning towards an S2000 filter as an temporary experiment to see how it performs.  You can pick them up for about £15 at the minute.  There seems to be quite a few on here running open filters on heavily tuned engines so they can't be too detrimental. 

I seem to recall a thread maybe 12-24 months ago discussing the heat soak issue, re the air temp difference coming via a cai vs open filter in the bay by the time it reaches the inlet manifold. Got a bit heated, pardon the pun, in the pro/con discussion..

 

My mechanical novice brain just took away that it makes sodall major difference on a 1.8t engine, that theres many other limiting issues before this on performance..

Didn't realise it was one of "those topics". Every forum seems to have them where they end up in a heated debate when posted.

2 hours ago, SheffieldVRS said:

Didn't realise it was one of "those topics". Every forum seems to have them where they end up in a heated debate when posted.

 

Compared to some topics, this 'debate' is positively mild!