Re: Intake
Remember that metal pipes are going to conduct heat. If it is hotter outside the pipe then inside the pipe - insulate. If it is the other way around - do not. All of that metal is helping to heat up your intake charge.
That said, the general rule of thumb is that every 10 degrees Fahrenheit increase in air temp costs you approximately 1% at the crank. So it isn't the end of the world but there is SOME benefit to keeping things as cool as possible.
There are a variety of heat insulating wraps available but the best look I have found (and what I use on my Rotrex kit for the spyder) are lengths of silicone hose. I buy the same material as the couplers in 40" lengths and use it to insulate pipes.
You could use a piece of silicone hose starting from the plastic flex pipe all the way back and in between your connecting hoses. Then your intake would look like one long, continous piece of silicone hose (all the same color) except for a few clamps breaking it up and be fully insulated.
I can put you onto a good source if you are interested.