The air intake system runs between the radiator and the front of the engine cover with plenty of space to keep the incoming air charge cool. The 2.3 is built off the same family of architecture as the 2-iter so they go down the same line; they have the same machine centers.
The inner tie rod ends are attached to either end of the center link and provides pivot points for the steering gear. From there it goes to the outer tie rod ends through an adjustment sleeve. This sleeve joins the inner and outer tie rod ends together and allows for adjustment when the front wheels are aligned. The outer tie rod ends are connected to the steering knuckle that actually turns the front wheels.
The first step in replacing the inner tie rod is to remove the tie rod end. It's basically a three step process, where you start by loosening the jam nut that's used to set the alignment (toe-in or toe-out). That jam nut determines how far up the inner tie rod the tie rod end is fixed.