Wai

[rsx2002]

I was thinking of removing the top of my air intake(stock) box off to make more of a warm air intake. I would replace the paper filter with a K&N to help keep any extra dirt out. Then I could take and parts before the filter off and shave a little bit of weight too. Good or bad idea? Todays projects are rear seat removal, spare tire/ jack removal (Replacing) with a bottle of run flat. Most of my trips are very short so it should be sufficient. and possibly the above mentioned job depending on everyones advice.

[SVOboy]

Replacing the paper filter with a K&N is actually likely to let more dirt in. I'm not sure exactly what K&N is known for, but I know good filtration isn't one of the things.

If you experiment with WAI I suggest doing so before making huge, hard to change modifications of a permanent-sounding nature.

[rsx2002]

The reason I was thinking of going with a K&N was because I could clean it instead of buying a whole new filter. Im thinking it will get dirtier faster this way and I will go through a lot of paper filters, possibly defeating the purpose.

[reformed]

SVOboy is right, the K&N will let more dirt in. They are designed to allow for more airflow and actually aren't as effective at filtering out the dirt. Your best bet yould be to leave the cover on and redirect the flow to a warmer area of the car, as opposed to leaving the top of the box off.

[gascort]

The K&N is an interesting thing. It allows more air in when it's new, but doesn't filter as well. When it gets dirty, it restricts air a bit, but filters much better. I don't mind them tremendously as a cost-saving measure over the lifetime of a car, but they definitely aren't as good as a WIX paper filter.
Oh, and if you use the K&N, you will have to periodically (once a year or so) clean off your Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF or MAS depending on who you talk to) with special cleaner - not carb cleaner or alcohol - that you can pick up at an auto parts store.
The electrodes in the sensor get oil on them from the fresh K&N, then they gradually accumulate dirt on them as it gets through the filter and sticks. Since they're heated resistors that are supposed to react to real-time temperature change to read how fast air is moving into your engine, they need to be CLEAN.

[gascort]

Oh, and I was also under the impression that a WAI won't aid you that much in the summer - I thought they mainly helped with efficiency of cold starts. I'm planning on doing one, but one that I can turn off from inside the car, and I'm doing it this fall/winter.
Matt