I was looking to get an induction kit onto my 2002 1.6 that I bought a week ago and after having a read through the 100's on threads on here about induction kits and filters I decided that an ITG panel filter was the way to go. I rang up ITG a few days ago to see if they made a filter for the 1.6, as it seems to be the rarest model around, and ended up having a 40 minute conversation with a nice enthusiastic chap there called Stewart.
I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject, this is my first car and i have had it for 1 week so dont flame me if i make a mistake, luckily for me, he was. Please remember ITG are a performance panel producer and are not interested in noise therefore are going to be biased towards panel filters.
Cone Induction Kits
eg. K&N 57i, Pipercross IK's.
Once you have closed the bonnet you have created a space full of trapped HOT air. Hot air is much less dense than cold air and does not combust as efficiently within the engine. An open cone draws this hot air directly into the engine and therefore gives you a loss in power. Part of the reasons why cone induction kits give such a loud engine noise is because there is nothing there to reduce the noise and partly because the engine is rasping as it is only being fed hot air.
Conclusion: If you want loud engine noise and don't mind a small loss in power then a cone is the cheap solution.
Closed Cone Induction Kits
eg. Pipercross Viper, BMC CDA.
These induction kits over come the problem of drawing hot air into the engine as they are connected to a cold air feed which can draw in cold air from behind a fog light or behind the bottom grill. However when ITG tested a Viper on a 182 Clio they found it very restrictive and this resulted in a loss of power and acceleration response. Some forum members have tried to over come this by not having the cold air feed connected directly to the viper intake but just pointed in its direction. This has gotten rid of any restrictive aspects but has increased the amount of hot air being taken in so will still over all give a power loss.
Conclusion: If you want Loud engine noise and don't mind a small loss in power then a closed cone is the expensive solution.
Open Cone Fitted Down by Bottom Grill
eg. K&N Typhoon, Standard cone + Samco silicone tubing
It would seem like this is a good solution to the "problem". An open cone fitted down low by the fog light or grill giving a ready constant supply of fresh cold air. However the problem with these is that by dropping the cone down low you have greatly increased the distance from the cone to the engine. When you put your foot down to accelerate it sends out a pulse along the intake. The size and distances of a standard has been mathematically calculated to give the best acceleration throughout the range of revs. By altering this distance between cone and engine you might end up with a loss in power in lower revs and a increase in the upper revs, or visa-versa. The other problem with having the cone so low down is that it is going to get dirty a lot quicker and maybe even wet. Both of these things can effect performance, time between cleaning and life span of the filter.
Conclusion: Should give no overall loss in power but effect acceleration at different rev points. Added bonus of the noise of a cone... ifs that's what you like. costing around viper money.
Replacement panel filters
eg. ITG, K&N, Pipercross, Green Cotten.
Simply replacing your current panel filter inside your airbox with a higher quality one. Advantages of this are that you don't get any of the above problems and should in fact get a very small power increase as a higher quality filter gives better air flow. A higher quality filter will also last longer, can be cleaned rather than just replaced and shouldn't need cleaning as often.
If you want to go as far as new panel filter, new silicone elbow, remove acoustic valve and replace intake induction hose with 1m down to the wheel arch then it should give you a slightly greater power increase as you are providing a larger amount of cold air and a nice little bit of engine noise.
Conclusion: The cheapest solution with a small increase in power and no gain in engine noise.
Full Replacement Airbox and filter
eg. ITG Maxogen
If you have £400 to spend and you want the best of the best then this is it. It involved replacing the whole of the airbox, filter and intake with a carbon fiber one. none of the above problems. Each replacement airbox is designed exactly for that car so should provide almost the perfect solution and because your getting the advantages of a full ITG cone there will be more of an increase in power than just a panel. This should also give a more engine noise are you are removing the airbox.
Conclusion: Increase in power and noise but it comes at a cost.
kinda spent a lot longer writing all that than i though i would. well i hope it helps someone.
Dave