Its probably that you hit the fuel cutout because your engine was too cold - people have done this for ten years without issue afterall. If anything, an open airbox effects performance less once the car is moving since the air is rushing through the engine bay.

 

Let your car warm up more. 3 bars and an additional 5-10 min driving past that before VTEC, especially if it's Winter there.

Cold revlimiter pwns joo.

 

PS: Get a CAI you won't regret it

 

 

Properly-ducted airboxes, such as yours, are enclosed for a reason.

 

Yeah but it sounds so cool!

 

2 bars FTW!

 

mine runs fine with the box open. prob looses a little power and gas mil. goes out the window, but damn it sounds too cool