I have used the KKM model TR-18D98-SV intake. The S & B filter is stout (I'd be very surprised if they implode), but the KKM design pulls-in way too much hot air, especially in the summer in Las Vegas. I am now having a couple of custom cold air boxes made for a K & N model RE-0950 filter (one for my SVT and one for my SE/SVT hybrid). The cold air box is being made by a local company (360 Air Intakez) out of TIG welded aluminum that is ceramic coated (Jet-Hot knock-off) to insulate it from the under hood heat. I just canâ??t bring myself to put a plastic garbage can under my hood. The cost for the air box is $40 and the owner is going to help me fit a hose from the lower front grille to the air box so I get more cold air (thatâ??s a relative term in Las Vegas) into the engine on hot (over 120 degree) summer days. I am also going to experiment with an Accel Kool Blue â??PowerStackâ? type filter in the same air box to see if there is anything to be gained from this type of filter.

There is one thing that KKM makes that I really like; itâ??s there MAF adapter. All of the other MAF adapters that I have found are for an 85mm (or 3-3/8â?) ID filter, the KKM measures 92mm (or 3-5/8â?) OD and it works perfectly with a 3-1/2â? ID filter (thus the K & N model RE-0950). By the way the inside diameter of the KKM MAF adapter is 85mm which matches perfectly with the inside diameter of a Pro-Flow 75mm MAF meter.

I can only speak for my car in my climate; nonetheless, Iâ??m sure that the K & N RU-3530 / plastic garbage can crowd are going to slam me now. I can tell you that so far everything I have done has been an improvement over the stock air box and with my upcoming modifications more airflow can only help. Those modifications include a BAT inlet pipe, an optimized (by Buckshot Motorsports) SVT 60mm throttle body, a true "dual-honed" & port-matched (by Extrude Hone) upper intake manifold, an optimized (by Buckshot Motorsports) â??returnlessâ? lower intake manifold, MSDS headers and an optimized (by Street Rod Specialties) MSDS Y-Pipe as well as a Bosal S/S cat-back exhaust system.

Thatâ??s my $0.02 worth.

The Original Owner of 1998 SVT Contour #3384 of 6535, Toreador Red/Midnight Blue, Assembled September 3rd, 1997 Also the Original Owner of a 1998.5 Contour SE Sport V6 5-speed, Vibrant White/Greystone Sport Cloth, Assembled August 6th, 1998