OK, I'm being a post-whore and cross-posting this thread - i didn't think it was appropriate for the Off Topic Forum:
OK, so answer this riddle: I don't want to go with a CAI (for several reasons plus the fact that cutting sheet metal is a no-no in SCCA STS), so I'm looking at a warm air set-up. Me being Mr. Ghetto (aka cheap-ass) I've been investigating just using a piece of 2.5" OD pipe with a bend to accomodate the turn to get to the T.B. I have a JWT POP Charger for the other end and I have located the battery to the trunk so spce is not a concern. I plan on drilling holes and JB Weld'ing connections for the various connections that connect to the pipe between the MAF and T.B. (I still have all my stock AIV/EGR gear and don't plan on chucking it right now). Anyone done this? Anyone have a suggestion on length of pipe? I have been considering about a 12" run of straight pipe after the MAF and then a 5' radius bend and a very short (couple inches) run after the bend in to the T.B. Anyone with an aftermarket warm air set-up able to give me some dimensions? Where can I get a pair of affordable 2.5" silicone couplings?

FYI SCC did a setup like this on their Project Sentra SE-R in the July 99 issue. They took the standard Injen intake which uses a 2.75" pipe that is 10" long, they strapped on several lengths of mandrel bent rubing to create a longer pipe within the engine bay. The results were weird, it lost torque under 3300 RPM's, there was a torque spike between 3500 and 4000 RPM's. It also seemed to hurt power higher in the RPM band. They wound up sticking with the standard Injen intake. So go with the straight pipe and do your JB welding.

as far as cheap silicone hose, you can go to napa and ask for 2.5"
I.D. "stick hose" it's like 12 bucks a foot, it's all silicone but its black.

Steve, I may be selling my HS wai, depending when I get some turbo stuff, so if you still need it in a few months I will have it. $50 with the couplets and clamps, let me know. Here is a pic of it.

http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~sgg8661/wai.jpg

Yep, that's very similar to what I was looking at doing, except since I have relocated the battery I was going to angle the Filter closer to the front. Serban, I would be interested in yours. Let me know when you go turbo. I may or may not have cobbled one of my own together by then.

Steve, I had my battey in the trunk for a while, and the filter was basically sitting right where the battery was, here is a pic:

http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~sgg8661/engine01.jpg

Yep, that's what I want to try.
Did you go from the stock rubber pipe to this set-up? Any noticeable gains?
Does it have the three connection (AIV/AGR/???)
I still have all the stock emmsions stuff.
Are you planning on swapping at Mr. Davis' Garage-Mahall?

Yes, I went from the stock rubber pipe with the POP charger, to the WAI with the POP. And honestly, it felt quicker, and I was amazed that this little piece of piping did all that.

It has the connections for the tubes, the one from the VC, one that goes to the intake manifold, and the small vacuum one (which I have capped off).

If everything goes according to plan, I can sell you the intake after March 16th