CAI needed for stage 2?

[seanieb]

Is a CAI 100% needed for stage 2? Im booked in for stage 1 but for the price im thinking of getting pipewerx decat and going straight for stage 2. Brothers an MOT tester so im ok with no cat, would just a pipercross panel filter be ok?

[berg]

Yeah it would be ok, you might lose some top end bhp but you can lose some bottom end torque by fitting the CAI over a decent panel filter I believe..

[Janner_Sy]

You dont even need one for stage 2+.  Yes you will make more power with a CAI, but its not needed.

[56OctyVRS]

As JannerSy said its not needed and id keep the oe paper filter. I ran mine at stage 2+ with the oe filter and never had any issues. I used to have a K&N filter and didnt notice any change in performance when going back to paper. If you research the flow rates of paper vs  cotton gauze, there is very little difference in the pressure drop and flow rates; despite what they hype air filter companies say.