Noticeable from three holes and some zip ties? I have all my vac lines secured with zip ties, that is to keep them from blowing off. I also have the cross-talk tube removed and capped off so it boosts quicker but to be honest I felt no gain from that and most people claim its a free 5hp. I can't believe you think you feel a gain off of three tiny *** holes in the bottom of your air filter box.
I felt a difference on my car but I added a ZR intake, ESM raised top w/ diffusers, and ported and diffused intercooler tubes. I still am running a stock intercooler. My car felt a tad quicker. The blower whine is louder but its still hard to hear over my exhaust. And I'm getting 14 psi spike at WOT and it holds around 12 even w/ a 2.8" pulley.
Did you remove your air silencer from underneath the fender? Thats a mod you can feel a little, also when I put on a larger MAF I could tell it was a little stronger above 3000 rpms. But I doubt that **** is worth and hp let alone worth the money to dyno test it and gain no power. What was the coolant temp of your car. I'm guessing you ran it heatsoaked and then cool and thats why it felt stronger.