Opinions for open air box or not?

[suprabee]

Hello, I have searched the forum and done my research on the applicable filters for our cars, specifically the K&N, Apex-i, and the K&N drop in and simply want your opinions. I don't plan on any intake or exhaust Mods/upgrades aside from this one and upgrading the BOV. Everything else is stock at the moment. The two options I'm considering are:
1) remove the box and use the K&N or Apex-i and if I do this, has anyone had issues with oil builup in the AFM from years of using the K&N oil filter as opposed to the dry Apex-i?
2)stay with the box and use the K&N drop in.

I am struggling to understand the pros and cons of using an open box, which allows for more (but hotter) air compared to a K&N drop in with the stock box with less (but colder) air. Remember, I am NOT enlargeing any of the intake piping, so the intake is only as good as it's smallest diameter pipe. Also, I have found a "heat shield" I can attach to an open air filter, but I don't think it really will benefit much since all the air will still come from INSIDE the engine bay. Your help and advice is welcome.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[suprahero]

I don't know if it is better, but I haven't seen many people with their boxes still on their car. I also read on here that the Apexi let more air in and cleaned a heck of a lot better than the HKS. Too each his own, but I think Apexi for the win...............lol

 

[Bishop92t]

The air box is just too big of a restriction. The extra heat from the lack of air box shielding engine bay heat is still more power then a closed airbox system. Ideally a much larger air box with an open element filter would be the best, but of course it would have to be custom built.

I've been running the FIPK for many years with no problems. I'm still on the original AFM electronics. The HKS I would not recommend for daily driving as it does not filter worth a crap.