you are seeing exactly what you think you are seeing topside.
the garden hose may be a good idea to try.
if it does blast back at me, [i already know i'm "all wet". i have been told this many times. ] i'll try to get something in there to smooth the transition in the rearward section. i would "ass"ume the front intersecting area wouldn't need any work, similar to a header collector.
i guess this thing couldn't be any worse than a flowmaster muffler ?
in fact, i just had an idea.
i could open the top and bottom of this contraption, and insert an angle piece [think the corner of an angle iron piece] right at the intersection of the rearward flow. this would act as an air splitter, maybe, smoothing out the air flow ?
any thoughts on this idea ?
this is certainly learning me things !