As far as bang-for-your-buck goes.... yep.

$300 for SS intake + $100 odd for K&N = $400 vs $40 for tickford + $100odd for K&N = $140...

Results likely to be similar....

Yeh save yourself some money and get a AU III snorkel instead of the SS like I did. In hindsight I could have used that money for something else.
Mind you, the little rubber seal on the bonnet that seals over the intake might give you a little extra air volume if you cut the sides of the snorkel to match it like I did. Every little bit helps!

why why why??

how much power you chasing?
i know a guy making 430rwhp with a std TB on a E series

Sorry, I was so out of it that day... I meant to say s/s AIR INTAKE... DUH... Gotta lay off late nite drinking...

I just want it to look good under the bonnet, the rubber EL intakes look pretty dodgy when it's the way mine is, all faded and yuck...

Wolfpac

You should turn upto a cruise maybe and see what some of the other guys have got under their bonnets. A good way to learn stuff!

I also have SS inductions intake first one was $50 old stock fiberglass/carbon fibre then vehicle was in a smash and busted the new style plastic one was heaps bigger even had to open up the airbox more. The increase in power and fuel economy was even noticeable over the old style. best yet on the highway is 8.8l/100k's @ 110k/phr average 13.5l around town (we have a lot of lights here as well) have not been back on the dyno but it was 125rwkw without extractors 21/2catback k&n 3' intake pipe xr fuel press reg and head ported std cam no chip & before ss induction (first one) I think that the limits will be reached on GT & XR8 snorkels as they don't actually increase volume of air entering the airbox. Now I know everyone is going to say there is only a 3' outlet but when you snap the throttle open the inkake takes a big volume of air in so you need to be able to supply more than what the engine actually needs and the GT&XR8 still only use the same size as std into the airbox. Where as the SS inductions intake requires significant modification to the airbox.

Value for dollars the GT&XR8 snorkels are good but people will be finding the limit of these fairly soon I imagine.
A good comparison would be to try both on the same vehicle on a dyno and at the 1/4mile to see if there are any advantages in one or the other.
my two bobs worth.