Just how exactly is one supposed to open the stock air intake housing to check on the stock air filter on these cars? I assume some parts have to literally be removed to get to the filter inside the housing? At best, I can see inside just a crack (enough to notice the air filter in there is a pinkish orange color). Once I succeed at this mystery, should I drop $50 on a K&N air filter and stay stock or apply the $50 toward a true cold air intake with a more exposed conical filter?

I know that in my old 6S, the K & N was nice for several reasons.

1. It definitely allowed in more air and I noticed a bit more pep in the car's step with it in over the old paper filter.

2. It never had to be replaced. Just cleaned every 50K miles, and that was effortless. Since I still had the old paper one, I put it in while I was cleaning.

So yes, I think the $50 is worth it.

CAI will give you a little sound is about all. Many places have proven time and time again that the stock air box is very well designed. If you do go with the K&N, be careful not to over oil it, as it'll eventually dirty up the MAF sensor, which you'll then have to carefully clean.

Well if you don't want a whole new cai and just get the K&N that fits the stok air box, you can drill holes in the bottom of the air box. NOT the side between the filter and the intake manifold. But the side the air come into the filter from.

Not to be a bearer of bad news but...

I have K&N air filters for two of my cars, and they aren't worth it in my opinion. Everyone will tell you that they 'felt' a power increase, even I will tell you the same thing, but that's just a buttdyno to satisfy you from your new purchase. What about hard numbers? I'd like to see dyno proven tests, but there aren't any because these filters just don't work. And when it comes down to changing or cleaning the filter, you will have an excess downtime of 60-90 minutes compared to using a stock filter. K&N filters need to be vacuumed, spray with their cleaning solution, run under hot water to be cleaned, then have to be completely dried out before you can start spaying oil on them. To me, they aren't simply worth the hassle when you know they don't provide any kind of power increase, nor that they are more economical than stock filters as those recharge kits are only good for 2 to 3 load.

As for CAI or SRI, do not expect any kind of power increase. Your buttdyno will tell you otherwise, but at this elevation and with your type of engine you would be lucky to get 1-3 extra horse power out of it. In some case, you may actually lose some power. You do however get a meaner sound coming from your engine. Just be careful what you wish for. I've had a SRI installed on my Integra in the past, and while it sounded very good for a short downtown cruise, the sound was almost unbearable for long distance trips. The maintenance on those type of intakes can also be quite a hassle specially when you have to dive into your engine bay to access a simple CAI. You will get the same type of downtime you get with a K&N air filter.

Just my two cents.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stealth01 @ May 11 2008, 10:34 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=45554]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I know that in my old 6S, the K & N was nice for several reasons.

1. It definitely allowed in more air and I noticed a bit more pep in the car's step with it in over the old paper filter.

2. It never had to be replaced. Just cleaned every 50K miles, and that was effortless. Since I still had the old paper one, I put it in while I was cleaning.

So yes, I think the $50 is worth it.[/b]

So you put your old paper air filter while cleaning your K&N air filter? Do you mean you have to repeat the installation twice? How long did it take you to clean the filter? A couple hours?

I always thought I could outsmart the people who engineered my car, but not really

I love the sound the the K&n SRI has. The car sounds meaner, better. I just recently cleaned mine out and yes it will take a few hours. But for me it was no problem. Get to the restraunt before 7. Clean the Filter out. Spray the Filter with the Cleaner...wait 5 min.....rinse under hot water (from the inside out) and let sit to dry in front of a fan. When I was ready to leave it was all dry.

In other words do it when you get home and have no where to go for that night clean it. About twice a year. When you wake up in the morning install and go.

As for the first question...I forgot how it opens all the way but it you kinda had to be forceful on it. There were a couple of clips around it. 2 on the top I know of.

from what I read for other cars, it adds like 5hp at most, and no you cant feel 5hp...

Hope these help

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6I6_UnQELcw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nK38j9IC7L4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nw6Gk0Z8IrA

After doing this a couple of times i got sick of it and just put in the K&N Typhoon. Even if it doesnt give you much of a power gain its a lot easier to unscrew one clamp and remove then go thru that mess. Then again i am lazy tho

I have 2 cone filters for my CAI. When one gets dirty I just swap them out. Then I clean and prep the one I just removed so I can swap again when needed.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rich @ May 13 2008, 12:14 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=45912]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I have 2 cone filters for my CAI. When one gets dirty I just swap them out. Then I clean and prep the one I just removed so I can swap again when needed.[/b]

LOL

I was thinking about doing that but I'd have to order the filter online. I 've never seen the same one at checkers or auto zone. The ones they have are smaller than the one I have.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Army RX8 @ May 13 2008, 10:16 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=45898]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Hope these help

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6I6_UnQELcw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nK38j9IC7L4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nw6Gk0Z8IrA

After doing this a couple of times i got sick of it and just put in the K&N Typhoon. Even if it doesnt give you much of a power gain its a lot easier to unscrew one clamp and remove then go thru that mess. Then again i am lazy tho[/b]

Very helpful, man! Good find. That helps a lot!