Cold air is good for engine power as it is denser than hot air which means a bigger charge of air/fuel mixture, a bigger bang, therefore, more power.

So having the engine sucking in hot air from under the bonnet is not good.

One answer would be a bonnet scoop but that would drastically alter the look of the car.

My idea is to create an air container round the existing pancake filter and feed that with cold air from the front of the car.

Cold air intake

Original pancake filter

GRP cover

Aluminium baseplate

GRP duct

More construction details follow…