my intake came with a heatsheild , was wondering if i could remove the snorkle that runs down to the alternator and duct from the grill to the heat sheild and ram that way . will this ruin my alternator if i do this?

In short.....probably. With decreases in engine bay space, air flow arround the engine bay, lower panels added to improve airflow arround the car, alternators, which produce heat of their own now need that 'cold' air to stay 'cooler'. Increase the thermal load on the alt. increase the stresses on it's components.....not good.........................jeffb.

In short.....probably. With decreases in engine bay space, air flow arround the engine bay, lower panels added to improve airflow arround the car, alternators, which produce heat of their own now need that 'cold' air to stay 'cooler'. Increase the thermal load on the alt. increase the stresses on it's components.....not good.........................jeffb.
THANKS FOR THE INFO JEFFB , BUT WHAT IF I GOT A BIGGER AMPED ALTERNATOR IT WOULD HAVE TO WORK LESS RIGHT?OR WILL IT STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM?

Me thinks you'd have the same problem since all BMW's [ except M42's ] use the 'cold air' plumbing for the alt's. for the fore mentioned reasons......though I've seen missing/damaged ducting on a number of cars, so.....................jeffb