Replying to Par1:-
True that the size of Anechoic Chamber is inversely propotional to cut-off frequency. But, there are innovative designs which help you gain lower cut-off frequency with similar room size {various wedge size & design}.
If you wanted to measure the 'transmission loss' of the Air Intake System, you can always use the 4-microphone method instead of anechoic termination. Its quite accurate & less prone to environmental boundary conditions.
Since we don't measure sound pressure level or intensity, I don't think panel mode measurement will affect the anechoic chamber size. The accelerometer response to the hammer input have no connection with the room wall surface, neither are there any reflection concerns.
The measured attenuation below cut-off frequency can be innaccurate. However, you can still rely on it if the ratio of direct noise signal to reflected noise signal is high. & I have no idea how this can be measured
For 4-microphone method, refer this SAE paper {2003-01-1653}:-
'A review of current techniques for measureing muffler transmission loss' - Z. Tao and A.F.Seybert
Your last concern would be the frequency range of interest. Air Intake Systems normally deal with 50-1000Hz, sometimes upto 1800Hz {turbo}. The 4 microphone method works well in those frequency ranges. Its limit is the microphone spacing.
Hope that helps!