A good reason to get a complete cold air intake system. Your take is spot on in my book (FWIW). K&N makes one for $449 (and you can keep your filter that you bought).
K&N filters will probably ruin your engine without popping off the inlet anyway. The extra airflow they get is because their mesh isn't as compact. It lets more air through, but also let's more dirt and debris through as well. Also because of the oil treatment you put on them can seep through and cause havoc on the MAF sensor. Had major problems with my 93 F-150 back in the day. I would recommend a dry filter over an oil treated filter.
Does the top also have a notch to hold the filter in place? It almost looks like there's two notches to sandwich the filter in place. But yes that's a lot of play around the gasket.
@@mcmahansgaragethanks for the reply. Btw I installed it recently, I think it’s fine because if you look at the top of the air box inside, it’s molded like the bottom to keep it in place. So there’s a bottom and top lip.
