Chrome intakes (cold air)

Yep...... I might be one of the cheapest, but not THE cheapest! I AM a proud owner of a (new to me) 02 LT.
Ok, so I bought the chrome intake from ebay (it does have a K&N filter). It seems to work pretty good. So to my question. Now that I've installed it, I can't put the cover back on.
Question 1. should the new K&N air filter be covered?

Question 2. if it doesn't need to be covered, should I cut the air box to act as some what of a heat shield?

Question 3. If I was to buy a larger air filter for it would it perform better?

Thanks for your input.

this is how it should look so i dont know why you want to put the cover back on.

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/20056642/Images/SIC_CTB0204LGE6C5G1.jpg

Exactly.. you dont need to put the stock cover. I installed Airaid cold air intake as the below link. Looks cool

http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/filter/200126.jpg

Shall post one installed on my truck soon.

Yes, but mine doesn't have the heat sheild. the other more expensive brands do......... If any one knows please let me know.,

Thanks all

Isn't the chrome only for off road and not street legal? I don't know how they enforce such anyways... Back to the issue of performance... I suspect the heat shield is a good thing...I would find a way to improvise one.

If you don't have any more use for the old air box...you might try using a rotory tool and cut out the inside and space out the openning for the new tube and filter...