It is a good idea but why not close the back too..full enclosed airbox (John Miks made a special full airbox out of same plastic he uses for his smaller heatshields and it works great. I dynoed with hood DOWN and along with 75mm MAF and airtube mods made 12 HP more than stock.. most people dyno open air filters hood up which helps them alot!!) All you need then is to just run a ram air duct to the side of the airbox or through the fenderwell opening OR just enlarge the stock fenderwell duct & you have the optimal system. BTW, I have done thermometer testing around the engine compartment...it is slightly cooler toward your back opening but not much...the radiator wash just bonces off the firewall and will enter your shield from the back. Got to keep ALL the engine bay air out..its all hot!
A full enclosure airbox is better than stock SVT airbox in 3 ways..
1) you use a bigger filter than the small stock style K&N
2) bigger box gives more space for air to circulate around filter (stock is very tight..)
3) you can mod the fenderwell duct for more air.
Personally, I think the metal composition is not that big of a deal as the air is really moving fast so minimal time to heat it. Plastic, CF is a bit better though.
But at least you closed the bottom..I do not think weapon R did..which is idiotic.
