I get alot of air into the air box from the location i have mine (with no grill mods) my main concern was after removing the entire bottom of my air box was the heated engine compartment air it was sucking in . i could no longer have the tube in the stock local as the bottom of the air box where it connected i removed so this was the only logical conclusion to permit cold air intake to the air box. it works well and the improvment was well worth it . (besides i love the intake sound when i stomp it to the floor )

 

I think heat is only a concern at idle, theres a lotta cold air movin under there when driven

 

so far no probs, but when i pulled the filter to check it i've got road salt on it. anyone know if it'll hurt a k&n?

 

The salt may absorb the oil from the filter element. The oil is what helps the element to filter properly while being able to flow higher amounts of air than a paper element