You have a good point with the headlights. My original ones are boxed in the basement.

 

I understand more restriction being in the air filter. Most intake kits don't just change the filter with hi flow filter, they also change the intake tube. Maybe, its because they found out that it is beneficial, otherwise why do it? Maybe the gains would be very similar with just the smooth tube.

 

Haha, yeah I'm about to pick up some LED's. Sick of not being able to see anything at night.

 

Manufactures have lots of things to take into consideration when designing a vehicle. In this instance drive by noise (intake noise) and cost of manufacturing are two of those things. By making the tube out of a relatively thin rubber it cuts down on the cost of manufacturing. If that rubber is smooth it would not be as strong. Making a smooth pipe out of metal would not be as cost effective. Making that tube out of a thicker rubber to increase strength would also not be as cost effective.

Adding the ribs to the tube will create a bit of air deflection internal to the tube in which case acts as a bit of an air box muffler. This cuts down on the intake noise and drive by noise. Granted it likely does not make much of a difference but every little bit helps. If you look at the 2012 intake tube you will notice a bunch of chambers hanging off the side of the tube. This is to reduce that sound even more.

So in short yea it will make a difference, will it be noticeable probably not maybe 1 or 2 hp if I had to guess. So that tube coupled with a high flow filter such as a K&N you may stand a chance to pick up 5hp or so.

As everyone else is mentioning the throttle body is going to be the most restrictive portion of the intake especially since we do not see wide open throttle often.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you allow the engine to breath more air you will also want to allow the exhaust to flow better.

 

Yup. Go nuts throw money at a non issue......and send a check to me too..I'll send back a certificate saying you now have 25 more hp

 

Don't worry, I don't plan on throwing money into this and your check for 2 cents is in the mail. It just crossed my mind while reading other posts regarding CAI systems. I am not looking for more hp.

 

They don't?? Huh.....learn something new every day