air filter problem???

hi i currently have a open element filter...my problem is that...the heat shield from the hood is burning a lil portion of my air filter and is ruining my filter...so now i jus bought a 7 inch filter which costs me $53 i dont want this thing 2 happen again...how do i avoid this?...should i jus cut the portion of the heat shield that goes over my filter?...or is that bad...or should i jus buy a heat deflector?...cuz i tried putting duck tape over the heat shield but it keeps on burning through it...yes the heat shield is actually makin contact with my open element filter...thanks...

A friend of mine just went to Home Depot and got a metal plate to put over his filter. An added bonus of this is that you can take a simple hose and funnel air into your air filter from outside, while keeping the filter hidden from the heat of the engine.