The ct26 doesn't flow on the exhaust side very well at higher boost, due to the twin entry design and tight exhaust housing, and manifold pressure builds quickly after ~10psi. Any increase in exhaust flow isn't going to help with a stock exhaust.
You'll probably see 1 or 2 psi increase with your new exhaust, and better spool.
At the other end of the scale, getting the intake down low into the side vent will drop intake temps considerably. A heat shield will definitely help to keep radiated heat away from the pod filter, but most pod filters I've seen on gen2/AFM's mount the intake high and behind the fuel filler pipe, ingesting air at engine bay temps. Lower intake temps will result in lower charge temps, and combined with lower combustion temps (E), should be reflected at the manifold and turbo.

I ran out to bunnings and bought some corrogated aluminium pipe large enough to fit my fist in it. The apexi pod I run sits high as Muman said...so I've ziptied the pipe to the vent mesh and routed it just under the apexi heat shield on the filter and ziptied it there too. Running a DC 9" fan off the sidemount which runs all the time and also the twin 11" SPAL fans.
 
Already with E85 in this fill I've noticed alot smoother driving when on a cold engine - I don't do this alot but it was raining tonight and just started up and drove off and it was fine, no surging etc.
 
I reckon if your already running a 3" dump pipe then a less restrictive exhaust won't be that noticeable. Plenty of weight and restriction in the stock DP.
 

I might look at doing something similar because, my pod is pretty high and has no shield or anything attached to it. This "corrugated aluminum piping" sounds interesting and do they make it large enough to cover the whole pod filter or have you just kinda aimed the end of it towards it? If you could get a photo mate that would be good.
 
The 3" DP did make a pretty noticeable difference in how early it spools compared to stock and the motor just feels stronger everywhere. That being said, an exhaust is only as good as its biggest restriction and mine is a dodgy press bent "cat back" which snakes around all over the place - probably no bigger than 2 1/4".  I'll be able to really see how restrictive it was after I get my new one fitted very soon. :)   

I want to get a quieter exhaust than the BLitz Nur Spec I have on it now. It's just far too droney everywhere in the rev range and I'm over setting off car alarms - it was fun for a while. It is probably one of the most unrestrictive exhausts on the market for the SW20 though, besides the 2 1/2" inlet from the dump, which opens up to 3" almost immediately after this joint.
Pic of said pipework.
 


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If it helps guys, you can get adaptors for both the apexi and AFM to take a 3" silicon hose coupler, and with a 3" alloy or stainless bend off ebay, you should get down close.
The apexi adaptors are fairly common, but the one for the AFM you need to chase, or get one made.

Okay let me get this straight...
So where the pod filter would normally fit on to the AFM adapter (up high), shove on a silicone coupler then to that attach another metal pipe going down, then on the end of that is the pod filter?

Well basically, but depends on the type you have, apexi's point the filter in the wrong direction for instance. Better to fit a 3" hose adaptor directly on the AFM then run the 3" bend down as you said, with a bracket & hose clamp securing things..
 Most cold air intakes seem to be made for the gen3, I don't think there's an off the shelf version for the AFM, if there is KO racing would probably have them.
 
Don't have a pic of the AFM adaptor.

Well my AFM adapter (custom) is at a 90 deg bend so it's already pointing more towards the front of the car/intake vent. I think a small 3" elbow would do it, so then the tip of the pod would be lower and pointing down next to the vent?
 
I'll have a look at KO racing too. I still don't see why there are no CAI kits available for the gen2, as there seems to be a lot more around than gen3's...
 
UPDATE:
Phoenix Power Departure II Pro exhaust installed and the results are astounding!! I lost my 'fuel cut virginity' the other (cold) night winding out 3rd gear through the hills! damn this thing is hungry for more revs and boost now  - so much more fun! :D

anyone wanna talk about E85 again? lol
 
http://www.mr2oc.com/show...9&page=3&pp=30
 
Anyone used it enough to check for the problem in that thread? Seems like its a quality issue with E85 suppliers. Wonder if ours here in aus might be giving the same issue? E85 is much newer here, not many people use it.

That issue appears to be confined to certain users, and certain outlets, without any real consistency to enable a definitive cause. Most users report no problems whatsoever, while a select few have a serious injector/port fouling problem.
First off, this is 100% E85, and US E85 until the recent ban, used the ether additive MTBE as opposed to AU production and MMT. I'd suggest that considering the widespread use of E in the US and EU, there's little evidence of this problem generally occuring, and I'd be inclined to think it's more from a heavily contaminated fuel tank and components, stale degraded fuel, electrolysis or some similar cause.  
It certainly doesn't apply to splash blends of E, as the accepted remedy seems to be to run a couple of tankfulls of ULP, in most cases it's encountered.
It may even be the result of phase shift in the fuel tank as a result of water contamination. It seems that levels as low as .5% water contamination can cause phase shift and resultant layering, and this can compound itself by continually topping up the tank, rather than draining and flushing with ULP.
There's also reports of the possibility of some stations storing E85 in tanks where previously ULP and diesel were stored, leaving a black sludge residue on the bottom of the storage tank, and naturally disolved into solution by the E85..then drops out of solution at the injector nozzle.
A more concerning aspect where US fuel is concerned is the addition of 15% ULP+ in winter grade E85. I understand the additional ULP is only 60 RON, probably as a result of cold weather additives, and how that would impact an average tune. dropped to ~97/98 RON. You'd have to run dual tunes basically.