Why different place open airfilter USA and Europe?

Hi all,

I'm new on this forum, actually only to ask you guys a question that keeps me busy for a longggg time.

When I look at American muscle cars and European performance cars I see 1 big difference. The place of the open airfilter.

The American muscle has the open airfilter placed ON the block,
this is the case with older engines;

http://www.orthographics.com/cadilla.../engine-v8.jpg

but also on the new performance engine's;
http://www.earlyfalcon.org/yayc10pic4.jpg

Also Foose (car designer from discory channel) puts the filter always on top of the engine..

But here in Europe everybody is talking about placing the open airfilter as far as possible away from the engine. That way the engine wouldn't suck in warm air;
http://www.honda-fanatics.nl/Picture...110_124107.jpg

somethimes you see engines with mile long hoses to get the air as far away as possible.

Now is my question, what is the deal? Does it really matter where you get the air? Cold air containes more oxigen, that should give a better ignition, but why dont you guys also get your air as far away as possible? Or is the difference so small that you can forget about it?

I hope to get some information!

Greetings,

Erik from the Netherlands