The idea of installing a 3" conical air filter on my 20v (A7) is very appealing; it looks cool, sounds cool, and is a relatively inexpensive mod that is easy enough to satisfy my need for instant gratification. I have access to a shop, and feel confident in my ability to fabricate a decent heat shield as well. Unfortunately, logic and reasoning have sense reared their ugly heads, and led me to a very important question: Is it worth it?

After perusing various posts on the subject (my favorite being iProdrive's Custom Intake Project here) I have surmised that conical air filters provide minimal performance gains, and require further heat shielding, or else they will be drawing hotter air than the factory air box. Despite iProdrive's tenacious quest for dense air, and even a larger diameter MAF housing, performance gains were still marginal.
Now don't get me wrong, I'd love for someone to prove otherwise. I'm all about DIY improvements, as long as they are truly improvements; Of course a conical intake sounds awesome, but does one really gain power for all their effort?

How many of you have made this conversion, how much did it cost, what MAF adapter did you use, and what were your results?

My friend suggested I build a heat shield by cutting up a square, heavy-duty Rubbermaid trash can. At first I was skeptical, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. I imagine plastic would be easier to cut, and if done right, the molded shape of the trash can could be trimmed to fit seamlessly against the body panels and isolate the intake corner from the rest of the engine bay.

This idea sounds well and good, but would it yield results?

 

Would it be possible to create a recessed, ram style induction vent in the hood?

 

have you seen this available from 034
http://www.034motorsport.com/034efi-...f-p-19845.html

 

I have big maf, tap1 chip, silicone elbow, injector. feels smooth.
however Im rebuilding a turbo motor, so these will be for sale soon.

3" conical air filter: is useless. why would you want to put hot air into your intake?

 

Red; that 034 kit looks awesome, thanks for the heads up! Have you or anyone you know installed it? Is that HKS a panel filter for the original airbox?

Varia; Is this kit similar to what you have? Do you use the stock airbox?

 

sorry cant tell you if anyone has installed it. I trust 034 and their results though