Originally posted by contourdude:
People should post pictures...What happens if you dont have a heat shield....



You will suck in the ~180 degree air while at engine idle on a hot day until you take off and achieve some faster airflow through the radiator. After about 30mph you generally have sufficient aiflow for the air to cool efficiently and the temps will drop and it will act pretty normal to a regular stock intake system (with regard to temperature) except it may be a few degrees warmer (and of course should flow better due to increased filter size/less restriction).
AT faster speeds it will not be any significant difference with an open element vs. a shielded one as the rate of airflow will be so high that it doesn't rise in temp much as it travels through the engine bay. Think of it as the same heat spread out amongst a much larger amount of air therefore the temps of the air doesn't rise much versus at idle where that same heat is spread to all the air in the compartment where only the engine drawing in air causes any airflow under the hood. BIG DIFFERENCE.

So just your low speeds and takeoffs will suffer on moderately warm days to VERY BAD on really HOT days as in the desert.

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black