Ive read a few things about air cleaner upgrades, alot of guys going with the K&N filters and such and ditching the stock garbage. OK, but seriously--- does it make any difference? Enough of a difference to justify the cost and time involved? Even if not much performance is gained, Im still willing to do something different because this stock cleaner is a major P.I.T.A. to get to. Im curious, why would they put the air cleaner, a maintenance item that needs to accessable, in such a screwed up place? I have a HELL of a time getting it out to clean it and re-oil it.

 

They probably put it there for the same reason Chevy mounted my turbo and downpipe right in front of the glow plugs......because they can.