Short Air Intake Question?

Question

I have a 97 civic and I have a question about SAI's. I've noticed that the stock piping of my car is rather large in diameter already. So my question is, is it worth buying a new intake system rather than just removing the air box and replacing it with a large exposed filter?

Thank you.

please don't mention CAI's, either

Answer 1

Unless you also buy a larger throttle plate assembly, a bigger air tube really won't do anything since the extra air can't get into the engine.  Also, if the air coming in can't get out, by using headers, free flowing muffler, etc, it doesn't pay to buy a bigger system.  If the engine is stock, I personally think a bigger intake is a waste of money.