I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that have used a K&N replacement filter for the stock airbox. When I went to install mine I can't for the life of me get it to seat properly on the side where the eyelets are. I followed all the instructions, used the lubricant on the edge and no dice. There is an obvious gap even after I put the screws in. I even ended up cracking two of the eyelets. The rubber seal doesn't have any give what so ever and it seems that the seal is about 1/16" too high for a good seal. Anyone have any advice?

 

Can you take some pictures? Because mine fits perfectly.

 

I had the exact same problem back in 1993 with the eyelets facing the fender.
You need to get:
2 - long small diameter screws
2 - washers for the screw heads
Cut off broken eyelets with a razor.
Drill two holes through the top cover edge where the broken eyelets are. Holes need to be larger than thread size.
Drill two smaller holes in the base edge for the screws to go through and grip to.

The holes have to be far enough towards the outside so the filter still fits in the holder.
Mine worked perfectly until 2004 when I went single turbo. Then I sold it.

 

As you can see there is a very obvious gap there and it goes almost all the way around. The only place where there isn't a gap is where the two screws are. You can also see that my eyelets are cracked now, which I'm sure further aggravates the poor fit. cewrx7r1, I was thinking of something along the same lines as what you described. I can visualize what I need but I'm not sure what they're called. They are like square washers with a threaded hole in the center and the have sort of a hook on one end. Then you put the hook on an edge where it can grab and use the screw to cinch it closed. There doesn't appear to be a shortage of edges for those hooks on here. What do you think?

 

See where the eyelet edges/supports are, through that material is where you drill the holes.
Out past the edge of the filter.
Anything like that will work.

 

Leave it as is, you will be fine. Even though there is a gap, the filter is still sealed tightly. That airbox top isnt going anywhere. Sometimes the K&N filters do exactly what has happened to you.

 

Mine did the same thing. The K&N was too tall by a small fraction, and it cracked the eyelets.

The only time I've ever done any wanton damage to my car was when I cut the eyelets off, as they were now useless :p

I've been driving it for a few years now, with only the other side screws and the big hoses holding the airbox lid on. And no dirt gets in, and there has been zero difference to the car.

 

That gap still worries me though. I can hold a flashlight to the seam and see light and see a small amount of light coming through the seam.

 

I used two little "C" clamps on the eyelet areas!

 

I tried the method that cewrx7r1 suggested, but didn't have any luck getting it to seat any better. I just basically distorted the surfaces and didn't make it any better. I guess I'm stuck with a paper element replacement unless I buy a new airbox that one will fit in. K&N has been excellent to work with and they are going to refund my money.