Air boxes: Standard or after market..?

Quick question:  Air boxes - best to stick with standard or switch to after market - What are the pro's and con's..? I understand that there is no performance gain to be achieved from fitting an after market induction kit, and the only real difference is the induction noise.. I've got a K&N induction kit on the 996, and it really does sound great under acceleration.  However, I've been told that original is best and that an after market kit can muck around with the MAF settings, create an almost vortex style air intake which can result incorrect air readings, decreased performance and lesser fuel economy.  Fuel economy - who cares.  But over all is it recommended to stick with standard or keep the K&N or similar kit..?

Searching the net there seems to be some conjecture that says that K&N can cause some issues with the MAF (Mass airflow sensor) http://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/238208-mass-airflow-sensor-failure-996-k-and-n.html http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/42502-anyone-have-any-issues-with-the-kn-drop-in-air-filter/ http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996/164276-k-n-maf.html Read these links and then make your call, I have an aftermarket Eurocup GT intake and combined with a sports exhaust the noise is quite intoxicating

A common problem with the fabric 'oilable' type air filters (like the reusable K&N ones) are that people put too much oil on, and that leads to the destruction of your MAF (I think it only affects the hot wire type ones though) as the oil gets sucked into the sensor I guess if the ECU is measuring air flow it's okay to change the size/shape of your intake with an aftermarket intake. at the end of the day your engine is a big air pump, and you want to improve both the intake and exhaust and then tune for the improvement

I did the resonator delete with the standard box and filter (40mins and couple of bucks at bunnings) Have used K&N with other cars with no issue. As Russ said "people put to much oil on" If I was changing box completely would go this either evoms or cup http://www.evoms.com/996_Carrera_Air_Intake_kit_Evoms_V_Flow_p/intkvf996na.htm http://www.eurocupgt.com/acatalog/eurocup_porsche_intake_induction_kits.html

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I have the eurocup and it seems to be a reasonable piece of kit, the only issue is that is open and being particularly aggressive on a skid pan I managed to drench it in water and needed to get some tuning down on the motor afterwards. Doubt it is an issue in normal wet weather driving conditions but just something to mindful of when driving through large puddles

Stick to the standard, someone in the US just recently damaged their MAF from the K&N filter as well. As for the intake itself its widely debated, the consensus (and what I agree with) is that the K&N reduces power because it pulls in warm air from the engine bay. The EVOMS intake does look okay that would be better than the K&N. If you want the best of both worlds (stock box with better sound) get the original and pull out the Helmholtz resonator and block it with some DIY plumbing items or get yourself the Fabspeed "cold air intake" which consists of a CF look block off part and a straight silicone tube. JR in the US also mentions the 997 3.8S box as being the only possible intake upgrade. FWIW I had the BMC reusable filter and the car didnt feel as responsive so out it came...

I know very little about this topic except to say that I recently had a 996 with a K&N air filter Pre Purchase Inspected by a reputable Porsche specialist and they noted the following "Vehicle is fitted with a K&N air filter which will damage the air mass sensor if left".

This is actually true to some degree, the oil from the K&N filter damages or fouls the MAF. Widely debated but the consensus again is OEM paper is best. The cotton filters are difficult to re oil and the only performance they provide is the most minimal at the very top end.