I'm not real sure of the actual HP gains from removing the air silencer from the OEM intake, but I have heard several stories of people losing torque after removing the air silencer. Don't know of any truth to it though. I basically chunked the whole system after I put on my CAI.
Where did you get your procharger? I'm just getting started on mods on my 98 and am trying to learn as much as possible. How much of a HP increase did the procharger give you? Thanks.