I've got an LT without fog-lights and I've read about popping out the passenger-side plastic cover to get cold air forced into the fender-well where the intake snorkel can then inhale from. I used a wireless meat thermometer to take readings, by sliding the probe into the snorkel under the hood. I could then monitor the temps from inside the car while driving. Here's the results:

Outside temperature: 76F
Intake " " : 79F (with Fog-light cover in place)
Intake " " : 78F (with the cover removed)
Under hood temp. : 147F

As you can see, the results are very disappointing! I thought the fender-well temp. would be MUCH higher and pulling the fog-light cover off would be like night and day! Not so and other than the possible ram-air effect, I couldn't detect any difference on the highway while passing with the pedal mashed. I guess the fender-well breathes pretty well on its own. When I turned the key off, the temp. in the fender well started to climb as you'd expect. Start the engine again and it quickly begins to drop as the engine pulls fresh air into the well. Therefore, I can't see any benefit at all from popping out the fog-light cover. But, just in case I drilled a series of holes through the fog-light cover on the upside of the louvers, so they're not visible from the front. The louvers are angled to deflect the air upwards where it will get pushed through the holes and into the fender-well area. Should also keep out excess water, debris and other junk that might end up there if the hole is left wide open.

If anyone was considering this mod, I hope ya find this info useful!

Disappointing.....but useful..........

Krusty.

 

i been wanting to do that same test.....thanks.....so this is the same area where the the stock cai fuzzy tube gets air ?.....since i took my stock cai off i haven't noticed any difference except for it sounds better , gets better mpg....but i would like to put a better tube in it's place.

 

Yup....it appears the GM engineers got it right. The fender-well breathes quite well on its own and opening up the fog-light hole had little, if any effect. The "fuzzy" tube is a KEEPER since its INSULATED and does a great job of keeping the incoming air from absorbing heat while in-transit. On the back of the air-cleaner housing is a small weep/drain hole, right next to the actual filter, that I also stuck the probe into and the temps. were the same as at the fender-well opening, proving the above. It appears to be a sound design. I doubt any of the aftermarket "cold-air packages" can do any better. How can ya beat 2 degrees above the actual air temperature? I also use a K&N filter, so I think I've got about as good a setup as is possible. Like I said, I drilled out my existing fog-lamp cover (just in case) which should provide as much cold-air as the engine can handle. After all, we're not talking a big-block V8! 2 litres can only suck so much.....

Krusty.

 

Wait! Did you say 76 degrees? It dont even get that cool here at night! Cool test though. I'm sure the temp drops a bit more once the car is moving.

 

After installing a K&N cold air kit, I found that the power wasn't as claimed and the "check engine light" came on with (oxygen sensor - bank 2 - too rich). After checking my half ass mechanical work I found that the original intake tube from the fender had collapsed. The car didn't like highway speeds for obvious air starvation reasons.
After considering the air intake locations and deciding against the fog and fender options I installed a 2.5" vac tube from the right side of the K&N box over the rad and to the grill where I plan to add a funnel air collector. Also I plan to add a second hole to the left side of the air box and some grill mesh at some point.
The end result with only one side complete...the most power I've ever seen out of a 4 banger. No lag from 1500 to 2500 rpm. I will add some picks when all is complete for anyone interested.