So, i'm in one of those moods to build something/do something with my hands and i got some new craftsman tools for chirstmas so that just fueled the fire. Anyways, i have a drop in K&N drop and the beer mod but i have an old K&N open filter and want to put it to use. So, i need some input/comments on some of my ideas. I'm basically putting a bunch of DIY's together. So first, the open filter element. Have the filter but i have seen people use a u shaped pipe to set the filter the right way, i guess in the way of the air flow, like this http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00488.jpg
. This sets it a little futher away from the turbo and also faces it in the right direction but does this really make much of a difference? an intake sucks in air whatever way it faces i guess. Then, heat shield, i feel like going to homedepot and letting my mind go wild, probably insulation, aluiminum and weather stripping maybe some more instense inslation stuff. Then, i came across this post a while ago and can't find it, i remember it was a black avant. It had this cool snorkel-like intake that has the same effect of that accordian-like pipe that leads to the intake. He ran it from the area where a fog light would be. This would be cool but will it really do that much, however more, cooler air is really never a problem for an engine. BUT i feel like it would get in the way when i get my future FMIC. Then it got me thinking about completely reloacting the air intake but my concern is will the longer airflow path screw something up/not deliever enough air? Maybe i might mess around with the stock accrodian pipe, add sometime stealthy into the grill. Final little thing, i researched it but couldn't get a sraight answer, there is a metal elemet on the top of my air filter box. I have heard it is either a temp sensor or a heat disapator. First what is it, and second what sould i do with it after elminating the box. sorry, just in one of those moods, let me know what you guys think, thanks. I have a 97 a4 1.8T quattro. ill put some pics up when im all done

 

I have just an AEM dryflow filter on the stock MAF and an audizine heatshield. Seems to work well and makes the diverter loud. Make sure you have a heatshield though, I learned the hard way, my ignition control module fell on the turbo and melted. Also without a heatshiled my the rubber on my filter started to melt.