I wouldn't call "making a scoop" a cheap mod for power. Even with my method, you'd be spending $25 for the flexible intake hose and another $20 for odds and ends from Home Depot or Lowes to attach the hose.

If I didn't have to make room for the HID system, I would keep the stock air box and run a K&N filter... leaving the elbows in place. Removing the elbows won't do jack. A naturally aspirated engine works like an air pump. It can only pump as much air as it can displace (exhaust valve size plays a role in this too). Removing the elbow would only make the intake sound louder and make you think you're making more power (the Honda racer syndrome). Using a cone filter has pretty much the same effect.

The only reason I'd run a cone would be if I had an SC. In which case I would run the intake hose to a well thought out heat shield to direct as much cool air to the filter as possible.

Your money is better spent on the SC and a alcohol/water injecton system. Scoops and ram air setups would be purely cosmetic. Although a cowl induction set up would do wonders to cool the engine bay. Too much $$ for what you'd get from it though.