Cone Filter vs. Stock replacement

Its about that time...air filter is quite dirty. i was thinking of picking up a cone filter and just clamping it to my MAF instead of buying a new drop in air filter then constructing an aluminum heat sheild to go around it and maybe seal it off from the rest of the engine compartment and make it pull from behind the head light and build a splash guard as well...but i was wondering if i will see any perfomrance gains over just a K&N drop in filter...

Drop in filter, I sincerely doubt it. Even the cone filter wont provide noticeable gains. It will make your engine sound more aggressive for sure...but after doing it to multiple cars, I've never had one where I noticed a distinct power difference (cone filter)

I think the only alure of the drop-in, is the fact that you don't have to replace it...just clean it.

I do recommend the conical filter just because it saves money in the long run, does (in theory add a couple hp), allows the engine to breathe a bit better, slight increase in mpg.

so from what i gather the K&N drop in filters are or arento worth it?

and if i do go with a cone filter im hoping it wont make my truck sound like an import...i dont think it will ebcause i have a pushrod v6 instead of an OHC 4cyl...

Although many don't like to admit it, the cones just don't filter as well as the stock paper ones. They flow more air, which means you'll see a WOT performance gain if that was a limiting factor on your car.

I've used oiled style cones on cars before with mixed results. The airflow will suck in some atomized oil and the result can be a damaged MAF filament. Placing the cone as far away from the MAF as possible will pay off in a couple ways too since the cone will be further from the hot air.

my MAF comes right after my filter element (ataches to the air box)...

If you can, attach at least a few inches of tubing (PVC, ABS, metal exhaust tubing) and locate the cone a few inches away from the MAF. Since you have a Ford EEC style MAF it may be of less concern but the more space you get the better. On many GM cars the MAF is located in the same spot as yours and we relocate it right next to the TB. That seems to help throttle response by a billionth of a second and keep it as far away from the cone as possible.