thats the thing when engineers gets the say on the final product....function over form...not form over function.
the ITG design works and works well. no need to flaf about to satisfy the form over function brigade.
Its not created for show and shine compos...its designed to increase airflow / turbo intake performance. Simples.
for those who want a more pleasing look, i'm sure they can find their own solution (lots of CF i would imagine and gold plated bling perhaps)
for me when it comes to modding, it is ALWAYS about function, and never about form.
Thats my 2p.
....I'm not suggesting that function is at all
compromised by form and I'm sure we both know that such an intake as this ITG is nowhere near what would satisfy a proper 'show and shiner' and that neither am I a 'show and shiner'. So I find your 'show and shine' reference somewhat unreasonable [but not offensive].
The aim of a good professional industrial/product designer should be to
primarily achieve function but to
ALSO achieve some semblence of good form. In this case of the ITG,
based on photos I have seen so far, the foam block looks like a very amateur afterthought and badly lets down the overall high standard of the rest of the product. Let's be honest - It is an afterthought isn't it - Considered and added somewhat later in the design development. Perhaps Andy could comment.
Look at products designed by Porsche - High standards of function and form very successfully combined. There are many other products which successfully meet this criteria, including some other aftermarket air intakes.
It's not necessarily a good idea for
only engineers to be involved in product design and development - A professional product/industrial designer should also be onboard. It's the same reasoning why a company shouldn't
only be run by accountants isn't it - But as an accountant you might not agree!
Yes, if I had this ITG I would want to replace that whole heatshield configuration around the filter and it wouldn't necessarily involve carbonfibre (though of course it might if considered a suitable material). My initial thought would be to get hold of a L-shape heatshield component from another intake manufacturer - Lots of them use similar parts to choose from. Or is the foam heatshielding alone really such a scientifically proven important element in the undoubted great performance of this product?
Now I don't wish to take this thread off topic to the extent of long debates about a block of foam, but I do need to respond to your post though I fully appreciate you have a different point of view.
ADDENDA: - Basically I see this product as still unfinished. Having established by the addition of a block of foam that sealing is a functional benefit, the ITG design team should then address the best way of integrating it into the design of heatshielding that area as a whole. The result would then be far more satisfactory on several levels, both aesthetically and in practical terms. Mk2 version?
