About a year ago Don Rivera, founder of
Airflow Performance, hosted a Fuel Injection 101 course that I attended. I am using their fuel injection system on my IO-540. Don offered a perspective that stuck with me,
"Engines are just air pumps". Good airflow entering the engine is just as important as a good exhaust system that can carry spent air out of the engine.
Below is the standard "square" air box on most Bearhawk's.
I set out to streamline the air induction system for my Bearhawk and create a round ram type inlet, like this.