I got an email back from Airaid stating they'll sell me the top, seal, and bolts for $40. Doesn't sound like a horrible deal. Didn't someone already say that a CAI is bad around water? Maybe I should just sell the Airaid...

 

If it's open with no top like yours then yes. If you can close it and it can be used with a snorkel I'd go that route.

 

the 12 and up Airaid marries to an AEV snorkel...but the top plate must be installed on the Airaid for the snork to do its intended job. So if u wanted to install an AEV snork but leave the Airaid plate off u could for day-to-day commuting. If you decided its offroad time put the plate on for snorklage. Considering that cool sound and marginal (if any) performance is all the Airaid really gives you...going full time snorkle is the best choice. I cant speak for others, but I have seen no change in performance loss, gain or mpg loss from running my Gen 2 AEV. Others might have differing experiences with theirs. If money was no object, I would probably combo the AEV and the Airaid just because I like the quality look of Airaid products.

 

...and cutting the hood really is an easy task...and fun!

 

Yeah, the verdict is still out on whether I want to do this, haha. I'm not worried about the difficulty, just the fact that I'd cut the hood of a vehicle that I just bought.

I think I'll be ordering the top plate from AIRAID this weekend. Thanks, all!

 

Can order the AEV hood. Already has the cut done and a sweet looking hood. Lol.