That thing looks like something off a scrapped late 60's nasa space project.
But hey, if it works, then great! I learned the hard way this weekend that there isn't much sense in spending $100+ on an intake.
I woudn't think the S&B pulls most of its air from the center. I would think that in order to do that you'd have to change the element type for the center section to a type that flows a higher cfm per unit of vacuum pressure. But I don't know really. Just a guess. Besides, you encased it so you don't have anything to worry about!
The good thing is that you are getting more surface area, which helps in filtration. I don't think more surface area = more power, as long as the filtration element is the same type between fiters. I mean, just look at the K&N filter supplied with the vortech kit...mighty small but it flows enough air to support the supercharged engine. You just may have to clean it more often.
Another approach....get a k&n drop in filter and cut some holes in the stock airbox as far away from the heat source as possible. Result? Free flowing intake with heat shield with a cold air duct.
I don't really think that the rubber piece in the fender is a resonator. Resonators tend to be box shaped. That thing is shaped like a scoop if you look at it....I figure its a good way to collect air from the fender and get it around the power distribution block without restriction.
I figued...hey...those ford engineers are pretty smart...let me open up this air box a little bit to take advantage of this efficient filter...and leave well enough alone.
After spending a ton of green on an injen intake, the setup above performs better by the butt dyno.
In my simplistic opinion, I think that intake capacity has more to do with plumbing than it does with the filter itself. It would be good to get a smooth intake pipe that decreases in diameter from 70mm to 60 mm and that runs from the MAF to the throttle body. This will give the air a chance to gain velocity as it enters the intake. Make it short too, so it doesn't have a lot of surface area to store heat. Keep the intake air source from the fender, keep the plastic (plastic does not conduct as much engine heat as metal) air box (from a 99-up SVT) with a high flow filter, get yourself the BAT intake pipe or better yet get someone to make one for you, and you have yourself as good an intake as any on the market in my opinion.
Good work on beating the system on a cool intake that works!
