I have the OEM intake with a K&N Filter installed. This is how the car was dyno tuned. Here is my question, the OEM intake is taking in the outside air almost from the middle of the nose section. There isn't a direct line of sight for the air right to where the OEM intake is sucking in the air. Looking at the plastics of the plastic framing that houses the wire mesh, it would appear a person could cut away some plastic to get more direct airflow right into the intake - and it would not be noticeable from the exterior at all as that area is kind of hidden. Anyone cut away a little plastic to gain more of a direct airflow to the OEM intake? Basically, in the 5th picture attached, down within that plastic a person could cut some plastic to allow more airflow right into the front of the intake (the whited out area in the pic).
I would leave that shielding as is, it's helping to direct air to the radiator and keep that air separated from your intake.
