Brian:

Thank you for your kind words.

Regarding the chronology of events in my case, I upgraded the filters and airbox at the same time. Although I did not dyno-test my 500E in a before-and-after context, the perceived difference was prononced. "Letting it breathe" is, indeed, a good thing.

I must say, though, that the most noticable difference is the elimination of the mid-muffler/center resonator. The throatiness of the engine is TASTY at RPM > 3000.

RENNtech's airbox is $900.00, plus a $400.00 core charge, if I am not mistaken (to clarify, email Bill Brady at RENNtech at: WBrady2410@aol.com ). I prefer it (aesthetically); however, I believe that its volume is the same as the PAD airbox. I bought the PAD airbox as the result of the same line of thinking you have chosen: a penny saved... et cetera.

All told, though, if I could do it again (and I well may, as soon as I find a new job), I would spring for the RENNtech box: it's just one less thing to re-do later.

As we say in the tech industry, your "TCO" (Total COst of Ownership), long-term, will be less - and you will be more satisfied with the results.

Just my $0.02 - or - as MBenz likes to say, my $200.00).
Well, in this case - my $1,300.00 (until the eventual core refund). All interested parties should note, also, that RENNtech's ONLY core refund is for the airbox: NO core refunds exist for any of their other mods.

Kind regards,

[Edited by run.exe on 03-29-2001 at 01:03 PM]