With your intake do you recommend opening up the covered slot on the grille?
I have heard some Police Interceptors have this slot already removed on delivery.
It would be hard to say as I have not seen the slot in person on the Flex. I do believe the Explorer Sport might have the same opening and one of our forum members (BigMoneyCloser) might have more information on that specific slot.
Since it is installed with the factory intake air scoop I would wager that leaving it in place would not affect the intake kit.
That slot is also blocked on the explorer sport. That is a police version of the grill or a personally modified version in his picture.
The picture of my grille shows an unmodified outer opening. There is an inner shield between the grille and the radiator blocking the direct air path into the factory air box.
Are you saying the police Explorer has the rectangle opening in the outer grille and the inner shield?
People with the mk3 ford focus modify this all the time (remove it), it helps with the air. Should help us also.
With the opening blocked it draws in hot engine heat.
With it removed it will function as a ram air.
It will be removed on my flex.
If it was opened up directly into the intake, what would happen when you drive in the rain?
It rarely rains here in Southern California. :)
I will check the air filter after a few minutes of driving in the rain and let you know how it looks.
Rub it in... lol