You'll see minimal gains with just a filter on a standard tune. (As in 1hp if that)

It all comes into play when you start pushing it, a filter is a restriction so you will want a high flowing filter when you want to push the tune.

If it was me I would use an after market panel filter in the stock air box (what I have now). I'll be changing to a pod filter only because I am going to angle mount and can't utilize the stock box (I think... still checking :D)

[QUOTE=Steve_Richards]did you see any gains???[/QUOTE]
Kato is right Steve^^. When i replaced my filter it happened just before some time on the dyno - so any gains experienced were clouded. I changed it because they apparently "flow" more air. Also have found less crap when cleaning out the box on the turbo side of the filter - whether this is a reflection of the quality of filter..i dont know...but it seems to stop the bugs getting as well as supporting my current (though conservative) number of 270hp well without being a restriction :icon_wink

personally i wont bother with a cone filter until i go angle mount - if i ever do :rolleyes:

hmmm.....maybe i should have posted this before i bought it....haha.
ah well you live and learn, might come here before i do any more mods. at least iam getting an exhaust on friday, 3inch all the....so any throw backs on that :P
cheers for all your input guys....much appreciated :)

3" zorst you cant go wrong unless you have bought a really cheap china copy that wont line up properly.....

na got a good one off here :)
let the modding begin

Yeah, like they said, the pod filter in the engine bay without some kind of shield can be a bit retro-grade as far as performance goes, may not notice on a cool night, but a hot day will hurt your performance.

The stock airbox and a good dry panel filter is actually not bad kit with a resonator-ectomy.

If you want to get good intake performance, a good quality cold air intake (not cheap tho') is hard to beat. These usually put a pod filter in the guard where your resonator is.

Downside: They are noisy buggers, and they cause your idle to dance a bit occasionally.

(The resonator-ectomy makes it a bit of a noisy bugger too)

Have fun.

I've had my APS CAI with K&N Pod on it for 9+ months now, sounds fantastic and i've had no issues with my car.

I think the point here is that, while no 'huge' performance gain is to be had from having a proper Cold Air Intake fitted, you do however have peace of mind that your motor is sucking in nice cool air from outside of your engine bay.

This reduces chance of detonation, which is obviously a very good thing.

A worthy mod if done properly.

And if your doing that on any of the 01+ WRX/STi's without an engine tune make sure you get an APS CAI with "65" stamped on the side.

:)

so CAI appears to be the go. So after an exhaust is an CAI a good option or is there better things to do before that?? (performance wise anyway) remember though i am not made of money....so nothing crazy just yet.

Yep, like WRXTASY said APS CAI is highly recommended (search for sales in WRX forums), this with a 3" is a very good start point without being forced into a retune straight away.

There is also a good CAI from MRT, just not sure if a tune is an issue with this.

My next stops in personal pref terms when the toy chest budget recovers:

Suspension upgrade (springs not too low, links, anti lift, bars, maybe front lower brace)
Brake upgrade (front rotors, all pads, lines, brace, fluid)
Injectors, ?Turbo?(depending what you want to achieve), Tune (EcuTek/Verso)