Newbie alert - feel free to beat with stick

[Sir Calais]

So i have been looking into some type of induction set up for my 02 VY SV8. even tho 99.9% of the LS community will say go OTR i dont want to as this is my daily and im trying to keep a stockish look inside the engine bay. Now i hear to stay away from SS Reductions but is a growler intake the same or just one of their products.
What i have been leading to is HSV MAF pipe with K&N filter in standard air box and doing the MCAI or 2hole mod. next question is are these 2 the same thing? if they are different would it be easier to purchase a monaro air box and bolt it in.
Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[team illucid]

Well it has been a long time since walking your path, but I did the 2 hole mod, used a 4" carbon fiber pipe and a plain paper filter, changed every 5000kms.
MCAI and 2 hole mod are the same thing.

After that I went to a POD setup, and whilst it sounded awesome and was slightly better seat of the pants feel, it wasn't really until I went OTR that I was satisfied.
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[Phillshz]

The MCAI is shroud that sit`s behind the headlight, it basically creates a cavity that is somewhat protected from underbonnet heat whilst collecting ambient temp air coming in via the bonnet to headllight gap. The shroud is held in place by the standard air box face and the back of the headlight surround. The MCAI will fit VT-VZ.

The 2nd hole mod is the addition of a 2nd 90mm hole to the bottom of the air box and an a bellmouthed ram made from 90mm PVC pipe.(use 2 if not using the MCAI)
They aren`t techanically the same as mentioned above but can be easily combined into a 2 hole modded MCAI.

Don`t bother with a K & N unless you get it for free. A stock filter, even a filthy one causes no restriction contrary to popular belief.

The GTS pipe is a good idea, however the older style MAF is known as the main restriction and will be your achilles heel, unless you decide to go MAF less which you would as the GTS pipe wont fit with the MAF (it might if cut down in length??)
I`m unsure if a complete stock VZ intake will fit a VY without to much hassle but it probably could be done with the right person. It would look stock,has a good MAF and flows 25% better than VT-VY. On a VZ the airbox lid is the biggest restriction (VT-VZ are the same lid)

The stock setup in ultimate form still just cant flow the air the motors want as revs climb, it starts to simply run out of breath, hence the popularity of the OTR`s which have a ram effect at road speed.

For a stock look OTR your best bet is a Duspeed.

Hope that helps as is clear

Cheers Phill