I would say cone filters are the way forward i don't normally rate them but they do improve power perhaps not always torque figures, just look in reader rides on here look at t0m and coops10 cupra r's one a 210 and the other a 225 both running 300bhp/304bhp with AMD stage 2 map both using jetex cone filters, im running a green cotton pannel filter with the same AMD stage 2 map same full miltek exhaust system, same FMIC etc and my restrictive pannel filter is holding me back figures wise coops10 runs with with a cold air feed, t0ms does not IMO I would say that compared to a pannel filter the results speak for themselves, ideally yes a heat shield should be fitted this a must im changing mine out ASAP and getting a jabba sport heat shield ordered at the same time to switching to a large jetex cone filter, im not interested in noise either im after better performance
getting mine back on the rollers again very soon, so will be able to see the difference between the two