100% Peter and Michael.
I also looked at the situation with the snorkel being the restricting factor.
There's no way I'm prepared to hack a good portion of the fender up to get a 4 inch in there... I cringe just thinking about taking any sharp object to my baby. I'll have to close my eyes as I cut the bonnet for the scoop, but that just has to happen unfortunately.
Filter wise, I'm still not sold on going bigger on a replacement paper filter.
Many, many moons ago I was into motorsport (group N) racing and I've modified my fair share of petrol performance cars as you do when you're young and dumb. I pushed 172kW on a Citi Golf sleeper (looked almost stock)
Took mighty big ones to drive that thing, let alone keep it in a straight line
The filter plays a big part in performance gains.
I think when I mentioned a cone filter, you guys imagined a VW Citi golf with tinted windows, dropped suspension, body kit, low profile mags and a Ricoffee can for a exhaust tip
I'm not going for your Autostyling no name special brand of filter. I've got a contact who builds rally cars exclusively for all of the big names. He's an agent for some big brands, who are all real world proven in the dirt and grime of rally.
I'm still toying with options and I've got plenty of time to decide.
I'll see when I get closer to crunch time which way I swing on that one.
Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated
More often than not some constructive criticism stops me from doing some questionable things