Yes blue there is a difference and it is worthwhile doin I did what your doin got some airbox bottoms from the scrappy ,removed the trumpet thingy
Drilled some 20mm dia holes in the sides of the box away from engine (heat) fitted a K+N panel filter found the car more responsive better on fuel and the noise is pretty cool especially on the 16v above

4k as Black_Gti says an exhaust helps as well, have full Scorpions on mine and fittin a 4 into 1 manifold on
Me valver when I have a bit of time on my hands don?t know if that`ll make it better but we`ll see