This is probably a dumb question but if a lid is not sealed correctly and there is air getting in, would that hurt performance? I don't see how but I read somewhere where it would. Let me know!

 

Shouldn't hurt performance power wise but over time it could hurt due to contaminants entering the engine.

 

ty thats what I figured, there is barely any space, i doubt much gets in. Cant be much worse than having a CAI going under the car

 

Theoretically, unfiltered air gets in, and it may cause problems in the long run if you get dirt or leaves, especially with a descreened MAF sensor. As long as its before the MAF, thats the only downside i can think of right now.

 

still have my screen on my MAF and checked it recently and it was pretty clean, took a cotton swab and cleaned it off anyways, I meant to put this in external btw but thanks guys

 

Go ahead and seal it up! It's really easy to do by adding some small pieces of adhesive foam strips. Like used to seal a bed-liner to a truck bed.

Having a CAI going under the car doesn't mean dirt can get in the engine if the car still has a properly sealed air filter. The filter will just get dirty and become restrictive quicker.