Can I go out and purchase a K&N filter and remove the air box for a homemade CAI? I've heard people talk about popchargers - but what makes them worth the extra 60 bucks?

 

you can do that, but you need to get an new midpipe. I bought a cheap intake kit off of ebay for like $30, and then spent $40 on a 6"x5" tapered K&N filter (3" inlet), barely fits, and works great. Though stock has proven fastest, but hey, I like the sound of my intake growling!

 

Wrong, you don't need a mid-pipe to stick a cone filter on your car.

http://www.brianv.net/mods/filter/
Go here for a quick how to. With this method, all you need is to buy a cone
filter.
Home made pop charger setup.

 

i though i'd read somewhere that if you odn't use a popcharger set up that your MAF gets emssed up everytime you clean your filter. Is this somewhat true?

 

Your MAF sensor gets messed up if you use too much oil when you clean and reoil your K&N filter. If you're gonna use a filter that needs oiling, just make sure it's not too wet. That's it.

 

You just cannot remove the box and expect good things to happen. Just the opposite will occur because you'll be letting HOT AIR into your intake.

The reason a COLD AIR INTAKE is called that is because it allows cold air to be brought into the intake, and for every 10 degrees drop in air temp, you get a 1% increase in HP.

However, the real reason why they cost what they do is that you cannot use just any old pipe you want -- the diameter, length, and shape all effect air flow just as the same variables affect the sound a musical instrument can make.

Too wide a pipe, and air will not enter due to lost vacuum pressure. Too narrow, and not enough air will enter due to back pressure. Too sharp a bend in the pipe and not enough air will enter due to friction. Too long or too short will yield less than optimal results as well.

If you wish to save money, my advice is to keep your stock box with your K&N. A lot of person-hours went into the design of the stock, so don't be so quick to dismiss it as worthless.