[thumbster]

Originally Posted by rockstate45

Basically, do you need to pop it in before servicing?

Is it as simple as literally just popping those 4 clips, pulling out the airfilter and taking the HC filter out? Is it under the airfilter? I haven't taken it apart yet, but is it easily assessable or do you have to bend/work that tubing to get the box lid high enough?

-rockstate

The most foolproof way of removing it is to drill out the small dimples of molten plastic around the perimeter of the HC screen (top filter housing - impossible to miss). 1/4 inch of drilling is all it takes per dimple. If you look at the picture, you'll see the 8 holes around the outside of the screen which were drilled out.

I doubt anyone will be looking inside the top of the airbox when replacing your air filter. If you're concerned about it, you can get some small short black round headed sheet metal screws to make it removable after drilling it loose. Of course you'll have to remove the hose clamp, unplug the MAF sensor and unclip the harness from the top of the airbox to pull it off in order to have a clear shot at the screen and to clean up any residual plastic from the removal process.

See also - Stock 5.7 intake mods & experiments