This is a popular DIY, but I have read some misinformation about these devices which needs to be clarified. I took some pics to help explain how the intake resonator works, but since models vary, the first order of business is to point out that this is for 02-03 S-type, J32A2 engines. Other 2nd generation models will be slightly different, so maybe someone else can do a similar post for those years and models.

This first pic shows the two parts of the intake resonator assembly. The top part is the tube, and the bottom part is the chamber box. The red line shows the flow of air through the resonator, with the top-left opening of the tube pulling in air from the engine bay - warm air that is not desirable - and the top-right opening feeding the bottom of the air cleaner box. The blue line differentiates between the two inner-chambers within the chamber box. The inner-chambers have a wall separating them, designated by the blue line; obviously there is a larger chamber and a smaller chamber. The twirly red lines indicate how the air diverts into the inner-chambers and swirls around. This action provides the muffling, or quieting nature of the resonator.



This next pic shows the intake resonator disassembled, and you can clearly see the two tubes that feed into the holes on top of the chamber box, into the two different inner-chambers.



The next pic is a closeup of the inside of the tube. Notice that there is no wall separating the inflow and outflow tube openings; the tube is totally open inside. The point being: not all air actually flows into the chamber box; much of the air flows straight through the tube without diversion.



Next pic is of the two holes on top of the chamber box, which again are openings into the two inner-chambers. These holes are 2.25" wide. Incidentally, the entrance and exit openings of the tube itself are over 4" wide - not exactly restrictive.



Okay, the next two pics are inside the holes. The first one shows the inside of the bigger inner-chamber, and the second one is inside the smaller inner-chamber. At the bottom of the smaller inner-chamber, you can see a very small hole. Hopefully by now you recognize that that hole is not a factor in the air-flow within the intake resonator chamber.





Hopefully this will help folks realize that with the large openings of the tube, and the openness within the tube, the intake resonator is not all that restrictive in air-flow. It is not ideal, but not totally restrictive. It's purpose is to baffle, or muffle, the sound of air flowing through it.

However, removing the intake resonator does provide two benefits:
1. The intake sounds better without it.
2. With the intake resonator gone, the bottom of the air cleaner box draws cooler air from down behind the bumper instead of hot air drawn from the engine bay through the resonator assembly. And that's a good thing.

 

oh wow, the type S resonator looks completely different from the tl-p resonator box's. when i removed mine last week, the pipes on the top were not connected. so the only way air could come in is from the tube that's exposed to the engine bay, then flow thru the box, then back up to the air filter so for the p's it's def. more restrictive. i notice a pretty big difference in throttle response with the box taken out and i could clearly hear vtec engaging as before i removed the box i couldn't notice it. thanks for breaking it down though.

 

When I removed mine, I had a leaf in it.

 

as you can see from here the tube is the only way air can enter the box, then goes up from the second hole you see (which is connected to the air filter box).

 

Thanks for posting that for comparison. It would be interesting to see the inside configuration of the P-type chamber box.

 

That TL-s box is tiny compared to the P. And I don't think the inside is as simple either. I haven't been able to figure out the internal routing. Seems you need to crack it open to truly see what's inside.