Hi forum members, I have 20VT, 6 spd turbo plus with Gtec 1 chip, uprated 360 degree turbo, 3" exhaust and K & N flat high flow racing filter in the standard air box. Can anyone comment whether changing this airbox and filter combination to something like K & N or Pipercross etc cone filter set-up would provide any significant BHP gains. I don't want to chance the expenditure of a cone filter if I won't see any significant gains. Cheers Rob

You'll get a lot more induction and dump valve noise. Possibly a very small increase increase in power if the filter is sealed off from the heat of the engine bay.

Didn't I read something about cone filters having oil in them and screwing the maf?

May just have been more paranoia though

Where the standard filter is located on the coupe you wont get any benefit from shielding the filter.

All you will notice on an otherwise standard car is more induciton noise and DV noise, maybe 2 bhp top end - and low down torque will suffer. (off boost).

K&N filters when over oiled can create MAF problems - get a filter like the apexi which is dry.

K&N cone on mine, cleaned and oiled twice since Nov 07, no issues. Only oiled from the outside, and left overnight to 'dry' before re -fit and use.

I'm not sure if mine has been chipped, but with a standard box and new standard filter, it always felt like I'd selected a gear or two higher !!

The difference was so obvious, that my Mother ( whom often takes it on long runs for me ) asked if the handbrake was binding .

I've used K&N panels / cones on at least half of my previous cars ( inc diesel turbo, petrol turbo ), never had an issue, MAF or otherwise.

Takes 10 minutes to remove box and fit the 57i kit Rob

If you go K&N route, I have a cone filter plus oils etc sitting in the garage doing nothing ......

Let me know if you are interested

Just leave your KN panel filter. They are very good. Do a small mod to your standard airbox by fitting a bigger opening.

From the comments so far it would appear the only noticable gain from a cone filter would be the noise. Does anyone know if there is a 'how to guide' to mod the standard airbox with a bigger opening??

there is a mod in the how to ...

Standard airbox mods make no difference at all, people have cut holes in them, added a larger inlet and Nigel even made a Willy Wonka style contraptomathon using parts from his bike, a greenhouse and the local powerstation..... No difference.

Back to back testing on a stanard airbox and K&N induction kit showed gains of 10 bhp and similar torque higher up the rev range but the awful noise a K&N makes would put me off.

Try the Apexi as mentioned above somewhere, its a nice filter

leave the panel in for your state of tune, the cone sounds better but in reality i think the car seems to go better with the panel in imo.

i have had the cone on and off mine more times i can remember im back on panel now for good.

i think you would only benefit from a cone when running a sip or 300 bhp plus.