I just installed a K&N stock air filter replacement, I notice improved throttle response, slight engine growl (which I like)... good add.

I've read a few posts of people putting a piece of 3" duct directly off the stock air filter box and running it around the battery to a hole they cut in the plastic shield just above the radiator... home made CAI!

I am wondering what the extra stock "box" is the mounts beside the battery, there is a small air resonator that adds another bend in the air flow which I removed the other day, noticed even more growl and think it has a little more umph (maybe just sounds that way).

I'm wondering if anybody has tried removing the rubber boot right off the box where you put the air filter and running it like that? Is the extra air box needed?

Anybody else done this? If nothing else it cleans up under the hood.

I installed a K&N filter. I also had a cat-back installed with the resonator removed.
Maybe the exhaust is too loud, but I didn't notice any growl, grrr, or grrrr-roar.
However, I will say with the improved throttle response I have achieved :evil:Ludicrous speed!:evil:

I just installed a K&N stock air filter replacement, I notice improved throttle response, slight engine growl (which I like)... good add.

I've read a few posts of people putting a piece of 3" duct directly off the stock air filter box and running it around the battery to a hole they cut in the plastic shield just above the radiator... home made CAI!

I am wondering what the extra stock "box" is the mounts beside the battery, there is a small air resonator that adds another bend in the air flow which I removed the other day, noticed even more growl and think it has a little more umph (maybe just sounds that way).

I'm wondering if anybody has tried removing the rubber boot right off the box where you put the air filter and running it like that? Is the extra air box needed?

I am wondering what the extra stock "box" is the mounts beside the battery, there is a small air resonator that adds another bend in the air flow which I removed the other day, noticed even more growl and think it has a little more umph (maybe just sounds that way).

I'm wondering if anybody has tried removing the rubber boot right off the box where you put the air filter and running it like that? Is the extra air box needed?

The extra box is a resonator as you said. It mostly just cuts down on intake noise. It may be optimized for flow at some specific engine speeds though. Pull everything. Pull the resonator and the tube that connects to it. In fact pull the factory air filter box and find a cone filter that fits on the end of the intake tube (the tube that goes from the throttle to the factory air filter box). You might need a short length of pipe for an adapter - then you will have yourself a homemade short ram for cheap.

All of these boxes and pipes cut down on a lot of intake noises though - so you will notice an increased growl, as well as some hissing sounds.

I installed a K&N filter. I also had a cat-back installed with the resonator removed.
Maybe the exhaust is too loud, but I didn't notice any growl, grrr, or grrrr-roar.
However, I will say with the improved throttle response I have achieved :evil:Ludicrous speed!:evil:

That growl will undoubtedly come from under the hood. If you listen for it you can pick it out. Once you open the throttle beyond 50% it will start and become louder as you increase it to 100. My friend was never in my E when I was heavy on the throttle. Last night I drove fairly aggressively and he asked me if I did anything to the engine or changed my exhaust because it sounded "f---ing mean!" : )~ When I floor mine, it gets fairly loud and overpowers the exhaust when listening from inside the cabin. It gets loud. I still have to hear it from outside of the E one of these days. He noted it must be a result of the long-stroke 4 cyl compared to our 2.0L counterparts which are more 'whiny'.

I removed the huge intake resonator from both mine and the wife's E yesterday. With all the tire noise, wind noise and other NVH present in the E, the tiny reduction in intake noise is not worth the restriction to airflow from that giant fender mounted box.

The original molded air intake fits right onto the rubber hose coming out the side of the stock air box if you warm the hose in hot water and stretch it on and secure with a wire tie. The nozzle then rests right beside the battery and can be wire tied to the negative cable. Looks 100% stock, Isn't much louder and added a little more high end snap to my MT equipped E. Not much difference with the wife's auto.

The mod is easily reversible if you keep the air resonator box.

The process is as simple as;
1. Remove the bolt securing the negative battery ground tho the inner fender.
2. Loosen the front battery hold down nut until you can rotate the hold down bolt out of its slot.
3. Remove the front bolt from the fuse box holder right above the intake resonator.
4. remove the plastic snorkel from the front of the resonator box and the rubber hose at the back(connecting to the air box)
5. Remove the two bolts securing the air resonator box to the inner fender.
6. Push the battery toward the engine-push the fuse box up and muscle the resonator box out of the inner fender and upward (a tight squeeze- bit it will come out) -throw 2LBS of useless plastic on the floor.
7. Remove the rubber hose from the air box, take it in the kitchen (or laundry tub) along with the plastic snorkel, run the small end of the snorkel under hot water for a couple minutes, then stretch it over the back of the plastic snorkel. It fits like it was made to be mounted that way. Secure it with a wire tie or two.
8. Install on the stock air box (press fit) Re install the ground wire bolt and ground wire at the fender. Put the bolt back in the fuse box holder & tighten. Put the battery back into position and install and tighten the front mount. Wire tie the air nozzle to the ground cable and you are done. Under 30 minutes

Now if you want a bigger battery- the is much, much more room. Your E will sound a little more "macho" from outside and the engine has about a foot and a half less plastic to suck through.

Here is a pic of my old setup. When you remove the resonator, it leaves a nice big hole in the fender. I routed some 3-inch dryer hose I got at home depot from the airbox into the fender. That way it picked up cooler air. All you need it a 3-inch clamp and some flexible dryer tubing. No cutting required and takes about 5 minutes.

My attempt at a ghetto airbox mod. K&N drop in filter and Spectre intake tube from autozone. I have the airducts cut out and fitted with black mesh for cool air in the fenderwell. This intake setup sounds like a low 350Z exhaust.

The mesh keeps the bad stuff out and is tough flexible plastic but is barely noticeable. The camera flash makes it stick out more.

Well you guys beat me to it. Unfortunately I have been wanting to do this for a while, but have had no time.

Critical, since you used a dryer duct yours would be the most ideal setup to test something. Do you have access to a scan tool?

NO scan tool. I used to have one when I had my mustang, but I was also into racing and getting every little bit of performance I could get from it.

With the element, I go by eat of the pants style dyno. IT did help give some better throttle response and helped the motor rev quicker. Nothing like night and day type of noticeable, but it was noticeable to a small extent.