My guess is the airbox removal will be louder. I have removed the resonator that is only on 95-97 and it's not that much louder(actually quiter at idle), so I figure the other resonator removal will only make it a bit louder.

"Wow, that sank fast." "Yeah, like a rock."
96 Contour GL ATX
9mm Ford Racing Wires; 2 Resonators down, 1 to go;"Special airbox"; many mods planned
Sony CD player: 50wattsx4;remote;
Speakers=50 watt Pioneer 6x8s
Ross Evans smile