If you are interested in the specifics, on my build I tried the following setups: (working from memory here so bare with me)
Dellorto 45 on a very well ported (walls were so thin!!!) redline manifold, Dr.Mini special tuning stub stacks no filter: approx 114bhp
Dellorto 45 on same redline with Ramflo filter: not very good, about 107bhp before the ramflo caught fire and nearly destroyed the workshop (no exaggeration)
Dellorto 45 on RE7 manifold with proper 1.5inch ram tube trumpets, no filter: 119bhp, 100ft/lbs
Weber 45 on RE7 manifold, DIY ram tubes, no filter: 117bhp But I felt this also had the wrong jets in it, also smaller chokes than the Dellorto
HIF44 on GR's SU manifold no filter, stock factory stub stack: 118bhp But i feel this had the wrong needle and I am more than sure it can do more. Also had very good torque curve from memory, full torque much earlier than sidedrafts. Actually it worked so well that about a year later I organised to have a setup replace my Dellorto but in the end, I stuck with Dellorto (glad I did!)
So as you can see there isn't much in it at all between the Dellorto/Weber or SU. In fact I am sure they can achieve all the same HP if all set up correctly.
Now in terms of filters: Firstly I have a weber box welded into my car so much more room than most people. Once engine was in the car I played around with several setups. Ramflo with Unifilter foam and with or without oil, the car ran very rich. There was definitely restriction there, but for many there is no choice. It can be made to work...
I then tried a K&N very short side entry oval filter, and this was worst than the Ramflo. The backplate basically extremely restrictive and since the filter was only 2.5 inches tall there wasn't much flow. I feel the 3 or 4 inch tall K&N's will be best but then the setup will be so long that the filter would be inside the cabin above your gearstick!
Unifilter ramtube socks, which just go over the ramtube and held on with zip ties. Works well, gets dirty fast (good thing!) and very low restriction. BUT very very hard to clean and maintain. Cut zip ties, wash socks, put them back on, took ages and ages.
Finally I settled on PiperCross filter. Looks like the one in the second picture
http://www.pipercross.net/competition/p ... _socks.asp They slip onto both trumpets and stay on, weigh nothing, and best of all very very low restriction. This may actually work for many people even without a firewall mods, the foam just deforms and sits on the firewall?
Hope that helps!