Why such a small cross-section?

[Moderator]

All the classic American V8 engines in street cars... no matter how big those engines were... originally came with small trumpet-shaped inlets.

Obviously, OEM engineers COULD have made the waists of these trumpets larger in cross-section.

Today's trivia question: "Why didn't they?"

[roverman]

I have a series of WAG's. a. stand-off inversion b.adequate flow, as-is c.easier to "package" under hood d. great for "trivia pursuit"

[triumphtr2]

Whatabout Bernouli's principle? Would it make the air speed up as it came into the air cleaner chamber? Tim

[ex-tyke]

Don't know why, but my '65 Vette 327 had a twin snorkel cleaner like this ebay item - small openings for sure!

[DiDueColpi]

As far as I know it was used to muffle the intake noise and stop the pulses from disturbing the air filter.
That's why we used to flip the air cleaner lid on Moms Impala and shift the powerglide like a stick........wasn't it?