By relacing the stock airbox/filter with your standard K@N cone filter kit. Is it really worth the $70. Is there any hp gains? Does it sound better or am I better of leaving the stock setup? Thanks

 

But it makes a nice growl when you punch the gas, since you can hear the intake a lot better. It's not much louder then stock, just better.

It may take several years, but theoretically, it will eventually pay for itself with improved gas mileage.

 

here's another alternative thanks to a Soarer nut from OZ:

http://www.users.bigpond.com/pgscott/BFIDIY.html

other good stuff on his website as well - he posts here from time to time

 

I have an Apexi filter and it sounds like a vaccuum. pretty cool, but it's not very loud. and about performance...i didn't notice much...but i'm sort of the skeptical-type.

 

I would say it does nothing, in fact it may slow you down! If you're going to make a high flow conical intake, you should plan on putting in a cold-air box otherwise five minutes down the road you're going to be sucking in hot, stagnant engine air. The intake itself makes a loud humming sound which will be muted if you have a good cold-air box, and makes the throttle feel lighter, you might get hps gains at +80mph. I'm weary of re-oiling my K&N now because of rumors of clogged VAF sensors, so I'll probably just replace it with a dry-paper cone filter next. I think removing the snorkel inlet on the stock airbox provides sufficient airflow for our cars and is more importantly always COLD air.

 

i noticed that my K&N cone filter improved throttle response a TON. My friend also said that my car sounded liek a beast when i passed him going 90 on the interstate, but mabye i have just gotten used to the sound

 

I went back to an OEM paper element after taking out the K&N and noticing that the openings between the fibers are around .025,that just can't be good.
Anyone want to buy a slightly used K&N panel filter?
$20

 

Can't agree more. I used to try all kind of air intakes (not cold intake, this actually works at high speed) on my Miata. I went back to oem after a while. The intakes may give you a couple of hp at 6000+ rpm but it robs the low end torque. The Sc is a v8 with bunch of torque so you probably won't notice but with my miata, i felt the low end torque loss. About the sound? it's louder but not better because it sounded like it coming from the engine, not the mufflers. This is subjective though.

I am using KN panel filter in my sc400 now. Nothing was improved that i noticed. If some cheap after market products can improve the car performance, the manufacturer's enginners must have been a bunch of idiots. except for the compromise for comfort or regulations . If the car is use for track, a couple of hp may help (i am trying to be positive here).