So I finally got round to pulling the cover off the airbox to see what state the intake filter is in..... I discovered that a previous owner had drilled about half a dozen 2p sized holes in the underside of the airbox.  It was clearly done deleberately as some sort of 'performance enhancing' on s budget.  Although it struck me a a really daft mod, especially considering the location of the box which is just going to sook up hot air out of the engine bay.  

I removed the box, smoothed and cleaned the underside of the bottom section, and went to town with the duct tape in a bid to rectify my swiss cheese box (i figure it would do as a temporary measure).  

I then took the car for a short spin and I think I understand why this mod might be carried out -the throttle response was slightly less snappy with the holes taped up.... however I thought it felt like there was more power overall, I thought it pulled harder ehen under load or accellerating hard plus the thtottle response was smoother.   

When I got back I hit the google for info and found that people often do this mod to try and make their cars sound more sporty with more audible whooshy sooky noises etc.  

 

Anyway, I wondered if there were other useless but popular mods that a previous owner might have carried out or attempted to carry out or might have been done in conjuction with with airbox drilling so I can reverse them if I can.  

 

Neil.

 

 

P.s 

I forgot to say, it is a 2001 with 1.8t petrol engine.  

To be honest if they have done this over a performance item I'd suggest they hadn't done anymore damage as most mods involve having money spent 

It doesn't add performance but the holes in the air box do give you a bit more induction noise, especially if you have an aftermarket panel filter in there. Like you say, pretty common in the 1.8t world

 

RIP airbox

Edited 21 July, 20187 yr by SuperbTWM

Aye, I think the mod may have been harming performance if anything.  

 

Car feels smoother and quieter now and I don't know if its just in my mind or not, but it seems to have a little more va va voom.   

 

It has me slightly worried what other 'modifications' I might find. Lol  

 

Thanks for the replies.