Looking at your instructions...
I had to use a torx and remove a screw in the front left corner of the stock air box, then I could pull it out as you stated. I guess the screw was something they may have added on the 07 model year?

 

There is a piece of rubber that goes around the screw, just like the back two or three. You shouldn't have to take it out.

 

I doubt they would change that after 1 model year. That assembly is used on other cars as well.

My 06 has what looks like a screw that you could remove, but the left front just popped off.

 

Nice write up I could have used it about a year ago But still very nice and thanks for taking the time to snap a few shots.

 

God bless you people for posting these how-to's. Only had mine for a week but was fussing with the intake trying to figure it out - never did.

K & N here I come...

 

Somehow I did n't notice this when I installed my K&N filter but when I cleaned it I saw this and decided to clean it out also. I don't understand why they would put this material inside the air intake tube that runs from the box to the fender hole. I was figgrin' to help catch junk so it doesn't clog up the filter, but no other car I've had had this and the filter in these cars are not abnormally small so I dont get it. I think A smooth tube may help a bit, but I doubt you'd be able to see or feel any improvments.
Whats your thoughts on this?

 

That's what mine looks like on the outside as well.

 

This looks like a weekend project. Thanks for the write-up. I'll have to get out the manual to see the air filter replacement interval recommendations.

After 40 years of driving, why I am finding that the cars getting more complicated to perform simple maintenance? At least changing the oil is relatively easy. The car is high enough that even this old fat body can slide under to get at the drain plug and removal of the filter from the top is simple.

 

I haven't even opened my hood yet, but here are my thoughts. That pre filter tube looks like it flexes. If that is the case, then the ribs are there to aid in both strength and flexibility. There are/were a bunch of cars with intake tubing with ridges...some were even worse as far as the internal "smoothness" goes. Most any 80-90's carb or throttle body injected vehicle had a cheap and flimsy version that was discarded after the first few filter changes.

Performance difference in going to something smooth? Not something you would feel. It would all be upper end, and maybe 1 or 2 HP.

 

I haven't had mine apart yet, but the intake tube looks like it's lined with some type of felt. Either it's to "pre-filter", or you sucked up a cat in there.