Cheap Alternative to CAI?
Back in the bad old days, resourceful hotrodders simply replaced the air filter with one that was too tall. This left a gap all the way around the air filter lid, bypassing the restrictive snorkel, and thereby increased air flow to the carburetor at a cost of, well, nothing. A four-barrel carb made a wonderful howling noise. For you youngsters, a carburetor was a device... never mind.
In that spirit, when I had a 1975 Volvo with Bosch fuel injection and no money for accessories, I simply drilled dozens of holes in the air filter canister. I have no idea if it got better mileage or more power, but it seemed to have better throttle response off idle and sounded stronger.
Don't get me wrong. I love those polished tubes and dashing red filters, but has anyone tried drilling holes or cutting openings in the stock air box? Of course it would no longer be a true cold air intake, but then most of the ones on the market look like they pull hot air from the engine compartment, too.