Intake couplers
 

Why do the aftermarket intakes have so many couplers in the straight section of pipe?

I would venture to guess that it's for both ease of install and getting the right angle through the cutout to put the air filter closer to fresh air.
Just based on mine, never gave it much thought. It does make it easier to take out the middle section when I need to do accessory belts though.

If you are talking about the AEM intake, the couplers may seem useless. However the couplers hold mesh that helps straighten airflow going to the Mass airflow sensor.

It was probably just cheaper to kit off the shelf universal couplers than manufacturing a single complicated piece.

just build your own without a screen, AEM is junk imo, most people are maybe not aware that AEM sold their filter division to K&N several years ago … yet still kind of separate from K&N. You can buy both oiled and dry flow filters from either now. If you want a MAF flow straightener though, the Treadstone honeycomb version is way better.


To be honest, AEM Filters is totally messed up beyond all recognition given my experience with their customer service dept. several months ago.
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My plan was to start with an AEM and modify the complex curved piece to just a single 90 degree bend through the front support opening. Kind of like what I saw you have done in the past. Not sure what you’re using now. Got any left over intake parts?

Um but the complex bend is to navigate around the things in front of the bulkhead, like the crash bar.

the crash bar wouldn’t be modified. This is what I have in mind, but without the small filter.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...28f4ad95d7.jpg
I think this is TeamTX8s setup?