Air box intake tube

[jschenck]

On the factory airbox, the intake tube that runs up to the hood line, what is the purpose of the little plastic piece that blocks the front of the snorkel? I noticed that it mates with the hood and only leaves a small little passage way for air to come into the box. Is it meant to prevent water coming in? To my eyes it just blocks some of the incoming air from getting into the intake.

 

[tommudd]

you are correct and it may block some but gets enough, if you don't like it run a 3 or 4 inch tube up to the grill and straight into the box

 

[jschenck]

I'm thinking about just cutting that little piece of plastic off. I won't ever be doing any serious off-roading cause it's a 4x2, so I have no need to keep water out. I'm sure it won't affect anything, but I may do away with it.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I removed that plastic water shield about six months after we first got our Heep.
We've done plenty of water crossings and where we live receives allot of annual
rainfall.
We've checked the airfilter/airbox after water crossings and the filter and airbox
are always dry!
Has it made a difference to performance?
I doubt it!
However I did notice a slight increase in induction noise.

 

[jschenck]

The noise is always fun! My previous vehicle had ram air and when it started up you could hear the supercharger sucking air from 50 feet away! I loved to crackle the throttle and hear the supercharger scream! I'm a big fan of intake noise, I love the sound!