Well, after all this time I decided to see how much difference a pod filter would make to the i30.
I popped down to 'super cheap auto' and purchased a $25 filter, took off the factory air box and fitted it to the end of the factory pipe. At first I didn't notice too much of a difference aside from the growl between 2 and 3k rpm when you put your foot down. After about 20 minutes of driving however, it seemed to get more and more responsive.
The fuel consumption dropped too. On cruise control up the highway it dropped to 5.7l per 100.
After seeing how much of a difference it made, I purchased a universal induction kit from a performance shop for $55. This came with a small pod filter which they let me exchange for this enormous one at no extra charge, a stainless steel induction pipe, breather pipe, hose clamps and a flexi pipe which I haven't had to use.
I then packaged up the 'super cheap auto' one and took it back.
So in the end, this entire mod cost me $55. The only extra piece I needed was a piece of silicone pipe to connect the stainless steel induction pipe to the throttle body.
The whole mod took me about an hour to do, as I had to cut the stainless pipe to length and fit it up.
I made up some brackets to support the pod filter but I ended up not having to use them, as the filter assembly is more than held in place by the clamps to the throttle body..
The dead spot the car used to have at low rpm is now gone. Even in 3rd at 1800 rpm, if you put your foot down it starts merrily pulling away which it never used to do. When it reaches 5200rpm it hits what sounds like vtec in a honda..? But when you're driving normally it sounds as quiet as it did before hand.
The best part is you don't have to damage or change anything, and the car can be returned to stock in about 15 minutes
