Air cleaner

The most important thing (next to a fresh/cold air source) is the flow rate of the filter media.
Basically, if it's too fine you'd need a filter two feet tall to feed your motor. But, the more porous it is the less filtration you get. You need to find a compromise- your motor can only utilize what your carb, heads and cam will allow it to flow.
Go to the manufacturer's websites, and somewhere they'll have flow numbers for each filter. You'll gain more by finding a free-flowing element than you will by changing air cleaner housings.
For example, the Wix 42044 air filter flows 160 cfm. The similarly-sized 42081 flows 275 cfm.
Which one would you want to use?
Find the free-est flowing element that will fit your housing, and run with it.