Air-intake module for internal combustion engine

An air-intake module for an internal combustion engine comprising:

• an air cleaner including an air cleaner case and an air cleaner element disposed in said air cleaner case for cleaning air flowing therethrough;
• a plurality of intake manifold pipes, one end of each intake manifold pipe being connected to the air cleaner case through connecting members for receiving clean air therefrom;
• and
• a mounting flange having a mounting surface provided at the other end of each intake manifold pipe for mounting said intake manifold pipes to the engine, wherein:
• the air cleaner case, the intake manifold pipes, said connecting members, and the mounting flange are all integrated into a single module,
• a working line for mounting said single module on the engine is defined in a direction substantially perpendicular to and intersecting said mounting surface of said mounting flange,
• at least a substantial portion of the air cleaner case is positioned in an area vertically below at least a portion of the manifold pipes so that the manifold pipes embrace the air cleaner case thereunder, the air cleaner element is disposed substantially immediately adjacent the manifold pipes, and the working line is defined above the air cleaner case,
• the air cleaner is disposed within a horizontal length of the manifold pipes, and
• said air cleaner element is mounted so as to be removable from said module by displacing said air cleaner element outwardly relative to a wall of said air cleaner case, said air cleaner case and said air cleaner element being positioned relative to said manifold pipes, said mounting flange and the engine such that when the mounting flange is mounted to the engine, said air cleaner element is removable in a manner free from interference from said manifold pipes and the engine.