gas gauge and spedometer dropout

I have had some issues with my jetta I purchased this summer. The gas gague and the spedometer will randomly dropout (at different times, although usually together). Also, the overheat light is CONSTANTLY blinking, even though my engine is nowhere near overheating.
And while we're here, is it possible to switch out the bulky intake system for a K&N? What's with all the wires going into the intake? My old MR2 only had 1 sensor going into the intake.

Problems like you describe are usually an internal problem with the instrument cluster module.

what do you mean by wires into the intake? all i remember are breather hose, MAF and... thats it. but yeah you can change it out. easiest/best option = taking out the panel filter and dropping in a K&N panel filter.