Both his CAI kits and his TT kits (VQ/DE) have this single filter set-up. As the air transitions into the intake tube it passes over a smoothing Venturi piece.

Any idea what the purpose is?

 

Really the only reason i can think of is to help transition the flow from a larger cross sectional area to a smaller cross sectional area without causing stagnation. The smooth contour helps keep the flow laminar.

 

It's primarily to reduce turbulence and make the airflow laminar just like Nathan said.

 

i read somewhere that it speeds up the air, probably because like the others said... smooth and kinda funneling it down

 

Yes and no. What really speeds up the air is the reduction of cross sectional area. There is an inverse relationship between cross sectional area and velocity. The smooth shape just allows it to flow smoothly without wasting energy.

 

Apparently a sale pitch since they did a ****-poor job at following through with that "smooth" funnel shape. An actual venturi should cause the air to spin into the air intake at a faster rate than normal.

 

I believe you are thinking of a vortex generator. The venturi effect describes a the conservation of energy in fluid systems. When the cross sectional area of a pipe decreases the fluid velocity increases and the pressure decreases. Overall the energy in the system is conserved.