I'm sitting with my dunce's hat on here, and wanted a few answers about cone filters.

If I was to change from the standard air box to an cone filter...

What noticeable differences would there be?
Is it easy for a complete novice to change?
Would this be OK?
Would I need anything else?
Where's the How To...!

Thanks in advance

Not bhp difference imo,

Gets a lot noisier,

Don't buy a universal, I've got a k and n and you get all the bits you need and instructions.

Unless you want more noise you're better of with a replacement element in the standard box.

Yessir. I had a K&N cone filter, it totally replaced any engine noise with induction noise. That was on standard exhaust, but really, I couldn't hear ANY 5-cylinder noise anymore belof 4.5k revs, it farted when you really were going for it and did an upchange,... it was annoying. Got rid of it, put the panel filter back, sold the K&N,... never again.

K&N panel with the standard airbox is a nice compromise. To can drill the airbox for a bit more noise it's nothing like what Kayjey just described. It adds a nice growl to the five pot engine note without being obtrusive.

Note - I was purely talking cone filter here. I have a K&N panel filter which is same as a standard filter with regards to noise. Drilling the airbox you can tune the sound a bit. The more or larger the holes, the bigger the noise.

K&N are oily filters tho which is a no-no for post '96 Coupe's..

would smoothing out the inside of the air box make any difference by taking out all the struts and pieces of plastic?

K+Ns do not cause air mass meter problems. I have used them without problems for nearly 20 years.

I have run a K&N cone on my 20VT for years. I do occasionally have to clean the MAF. Sound on full bore acceleration is outrageously awesome outside the car

No.

Slots, holes or even Nigels contrabulous frabtraption of a variable airbox made absolutley no difference to power. The air goes through so many twists, turns, AFM and turbo that removing a few webs in the airbox won't really do anything other than weaken the airbox structure.

What you need to fit is one of these > Clicky

Everyone on the forum knowns how well these work on the 20VT.
The science and testing has proved it beyond doubt of its excellent performance gains.

This one apparently will save you fuel and make you go furtherer!

Cheers for that. I've ordered 5. I assume that by having them all in series I'll save even more fuel and go faster.