Never mind.... Got it... Below the plastic intake GRILL is a metal mesh screen which is probably installed to prevent debris introduction... Below the screen is a HUGE oxygen sensor which occludes 30% of the intake pipe... Below the O2 sensor at the bend in the manifold are two directional baffles molded inside the intake pipe...

The manifold is easily removed from the housing via the removal of the attachment clips and the plastic top collar ring which snaps apart... the O2 sensor connection is removed by pinching the retainer pins on the side of the manifold and pulling the connection boot...