I just purchased a short Ram Air intake for my 2005 Cayenne S. It's similar to the Agency Power CAI - except it uses a dry foam filter media and costs 2/3s LESS. The intake kit consists of two single, short 90-degree bend 3" diameter mandrel-bent alloy tubing, flex clamp connections and the filters. The ONLY thing missing is the heat shields, as hot engine air will still make its way to the intake, from the open area where the old airbox once was.

The intake is designed to point downwards, to ingest fresh air directly from the intake snorkel and so there is no weight collapse/flex of the OEM accordian hose, by the MAF. However, I'd like to point them up higher, since I might be crossing standing water occasionally. I see the Agency Power kit designed the heat shields to prop up the intake cone as high as possible to isolate the hot engine air.

My BIG questions are:
~What is the best material to use? Metal or plastic?
~How can I keep the look as close to OEM as possible so I don't raise suspicion of a smog technician?

I was thinking of "modifying" a black plastic trash bin, to trap incoming snorkel air and to keep out hot engine air. I intend to retain the OEM engine covers, to keep the look "unmodified."

Ideas? Below are two composite views of the install; before and after engine covers(not mine):