After regretting selling my old manual V6 estate, I recently won a green V6 auto estate (D8) on eBay for £700 - MoT until December. It’s turned out quite nice after a bit of a clean!

Anyway.. the auto is a little bit slower than the manual, but not by a huge amount. I’d still like to make it a little faster though!
I’ve removed the little aluminium piece in the air box which I’ve heard can come loose at full throttle and jam in the butterfly valve! It actually had a bend in it which will have restricted air flow slightly. I’ve also disconnected the intake tube from the bottom of the air box which has not only made it sound a bit nicer under acceleration but I think it has made it a little more responsive and maybe a tad faster too!
Anyone else noticed an improvement from removing the pipe?
I’m now wondering if a cone filter type induction kit would make noticeable improvement?
Any other budget mods aside from a good service that can be done?
Cheers!