After I install mine, I'll have to see just how much room is actually available to rout the intake around the other side of the head unit and pull from the OEM filter location. The pictures kinda lend me to think that the location of the filter was a matter of head unit placement and ease of "system" fitment. The filter location cannot be any worse than having the air-to-liquid intercooler mounted in the engine bay behind the radiator or under the intake manifold. At least the ai-to-air intercooler is mounted in front of all of the hot areas, and the intake temps look to be a non-issue after the intercooler! I shall soon see for myself! Got a brand new F-1A kit for a 2V Mustang if anyone is interested.