Can somebody explain in laymans terms wth you guys are all talking about? Do I unde"rstand cheap extra performance?

oh well,just have to wait 8 months or more

The new Duratec engine is built in a way that means you will not get much of an improvement in performance with work carried out internally on the engine, but it has a breathing problem by improving the induction of the engine you see very quick gains in power. I suggest you read the link above!!!!

Panel filter replacements will give a very marginal increase. Their main benefit is that they last forever and can be cleaned. Most air induction systems are routed all around the engine bay so as to provide the engine with the coolest air possible, quiet induction noise and with vehicle packaging in mind. Thing is this means that in most cases for the engine it is like sucking air through a straw - difficult!

If you want breathing improvements then a K&N 57i is the only way forward, the downside of these though is that hotter air is likely to enter the engine. In town/traffic driving this can cause the engine to stall. This isn't the case on all cars though.

I fitted one to my 205 GTi years ago and it made a MASSIVE, and I really do mean MASSIVE difference to the way the car drove. The otiginal system is horrific. It also gave a beautiful induction roar.

I have to agree Hugh, as I said induction system not airfilter, although a panel filter and a chip may provide around 10 bhp I was thinking more of a throttle body change with an induction kit mounted so that it picks up from the bloody big holes in that grill!!!!!!!

Yeah - a cone filter with appropriate ducting is probably the best air filter solution. The ducting has to be carefully thought out, though, as some have actually ended up with LOWER power figures because of the higher temperatures / poor flow.