Has anyone disconnected the pcv hoses (I think there are 3) and replaced them with filters and plugged the hoses at the intake? On other cars I was told to do this so you don't suck in hot air from the valve cover but on the xfi would this hurt?

 

If anything you may want to put a catch can in to stop the oil vapors entering the intake and making a big mess in side the plenum there are pic of this in the Gallery.
This type of setup still needs the vacuum from the throttle body to operate just stops the oil getting in to the intake. SRT4 owners are big on this setup as for performance increase not sure if any.

 

I have a catch can on my srt but it's boosted I didn't think I would need one for an n/a car...hmmm.

 

I wouldn't recommend those pcv filters, the best would be a catch can or a centrifugal air/water separator inline with the pcv hose, you know the ones you find on air compressors, but use the biggest one you can find from home depot.

You really want to keep the airflow through the engine block at idle, so the low pressure vacuum clears any unburned gasses and it helps remove condensation, which is the major cause of acidic oil. Don't ventilate the pcv hoses to the atmosphere it causes global warming, LOL.