by the looks of the inside of the airbox, i reckon you could increase the flow a bit by grinding out the fins ans smoothing out the inside of the airbox too...

and it may cause a pipe to rub when fitted, use a plastic tie to keep the pipe clear so it doesn't wear....

If used in conjunction with a filter like Green Cotton or K&N it can make as much as 10 bhp difference

I'm trying to find out what the benefit of fitting this to a Fabia VRS would be. Is there a noticeable performance improvement or fuel consumption benefit.

My Fabia is completely standard and I figured that this is a cheap and easy way to start making improvements.

It passes air into the engine a bit easier, so the turbo spools up quicker, with the result that the engine pulls from lower revs. Unlikely to make any difference to BHP or MPG on its own. The extra air is most useful in conjunction with a remap.

Often used with a Green panel air filter as a first step to engine mods.

This guide will show you the obvious differance in pipe sizes.

Fabia-vrs.com - PD160 Intake Guide

Without a remap I found it allowed slightly higher revving to be possible without the engine running 'out of puff'. Fuel economy worsened slightly by 1..2 mpg.

With a remap the PD160 intake is a must, just more air going in more easily

As for removing the flaps, fewer benefits there but I suppose it still makes a little difference

I have looked though the hole behined my grill and it doesn't go straight into the PD160 pipe. Is there something wrong with car or is this normal?

The hole should go 'into' the plastic bit at the front, the pipe slides over the end that side, the airbox side is screwed in with a single screw IIRC.

The pics on Stu's site should show it but basically the PD160 intake mainly gives a larger diameter flexi pipe + fitment for it, nothing else changes

I have looked though the hole behined my grill and it doesn't go straight into the PD160 pipe. Is there something wrong with car or is this normal?

there is a deflector flap in the plastic part that goes on the slam panel , this can be removed to allow a straighter passage of air into the bigger PD160 pipe , but this removal is done at your own risk , as the flap deflects the water from going into the air filter box

Ah ok so its all cheers. Just noticed it the other day and wondered that was all.

Thanks for all of your responses. I'll probably go with the PD160 intake and then replace the filter as suggested.

Cheers