New oem air box and pipes vs hks intake
 

I'm at a crossroads in my build, and having trouble deciding on wether I want to keep OEM and buy a whole new air box assembly (including hoses) or invest in something like the hks suction intake. My oe box is trashed. I'd be better off running screens on the twins. Just curious what you guys think

It really all depends on your build direction. The stock airbox is fine, it just takes up a lot of real estate. So long as you have the factory air guide set up, you're pulling in the coolest air you can get. when you go with the aftermarket piping, you put the filters in the bay and........ well that's the air your suckling in. You can definitely benefit from one of the nicer aftermarket air box things. Pretty much anything other than the arc. An Aftermarket intake solution doesn't have to be all that expensive, you can make one yourself with some aluminum pipes and a little welding.

I guess I'm concerned that I'll be wasting money on the OEM box if I ever go for a bigger intercooler. Which is probably more than likely at this rate

Btw; your Hammond's friend right?

I think you're right in that the IC, at least SMIC, should be considered at the same time as the intake.

I'm gonna go ahead and say that all japanese aftermarket airboxes are compatible with the larger smics. If you wanted to go with a v mount or even one of the American type smics, then yes the "air box" style intake will require some rethinking. Although I think the m2 box is slim enough to work with some of the larger intercoolers.

Yes, I'm Hammonds friend.

M2, SRM and Rotary Performance intake boxs will work with most, but not all SMICs. IIRC even the M2/ASP large and possibly Pettit coolcharge won't play well. And of course some require battery relocation too. The 'kits' can make things easier. Pettit Coolcharge with their dual filter intake and shield, Peter Farrel Supercar (PFS) SMIC and box. Some SMICs, like MAZDASPEED/ARC, Blitz and GReddy also work with the stock air box and duct.
IMHO battery location, duct, intake and IC all should be considered together.

I know i don't want to relocate the battery, but going for a smaller Braille is an option. I was thinking about a custom IC based on the cool charge 2 ducting, so in that case Id need pod filters anyways. Also if I go v mount, so I may as well buy a pod setup I suppose. Is the hks RS fairly good? I'm in love with the look, other than the yellow filter elements

I went the Cheap Bastard route and haven't looked back. It flows just as well as any of those $500+ intake boxes and it looks 100% stock for smog nazi purposes. If you're not familiar with the C.B. intake, search "Cheap Bastard Adam C".

There's no need to put a 40 pound acid filled brick in your driver's cabin just to get a bit more airflow, either. ;)