Kyull67,
I have proof that heated intakes are the way to go. In 2002, I built a Mercruiser 4-banger and used an intake that I designed and built myself. I mounted two Carter-Webber progressive two-barrels on the manifold and did NOT heat the intake. The engine ran, but wasn't fuel efficient and very cold-natured. Especially in traffic, the car was irritating to drive; it ran rough and idled irratically....even in the summer. Tom Langdon had told me, when I was building the intake, that I should use either exhaust, or engine coolant to heat it. Finally, I removed the intake and built a water tube beneath it. With no other modification, I quickly saw an improvement in mileage and it was a pleasure to drive...in traffic, or not. I would definitely recommend heat to your intake!
