Ecodiesel airbox functioning question

[Jettage1]

I'm wondering how important the factory air intake box is to the proper running of the Ecodiesel.  I am getting ready to do a WVO conversion and could use some more real estate in the engine bay.  I was thinking of pulling out the box and just using a cone filter on the intake duct.  

I did notice that the airbox has a flapper which allows air to be pulled from a short duct running back by the exhaust manifold.  I assume this happens on cold startups to help it warm up faster, but I haven't fully figured that out yet.  (This is in addition to the main front intake for the box.)  I do live in a cold winter climate, so I don't want to do something that will make it harder to start / run in cold weather...

Also, I know gas engines do better with cold air - is the same true for diesels?  If so that might be a reason to keep the box since it pulls air from the front of the car, whereas the cone filter will just get hot air from the engine bay...

Thoughts & opinions welcome!  Thanks in advance...

[flapjack]

If you make a proper heat shield for the cone filter, I think you may not gain much room.  I'd try to leave the box alone and work around it first.

[riddleyo]

Also, I know gas engines do better with cold air - is the same true for diesels?  If so that might be a reason to keep the box since it pulls air from the front of the car, whereas the cone filter will just get hot air from the engine bay...

Thoughts & opinions welcome!  Thanks in advance...

I would try to pull as much cold air into the engine as possible. Cold air means more molecules of air. And the more air molecules in the combustion chamber, the more complete the fuel will burn. Think of when you are driving a diesel in a high altitude. Since the air is not as dense (less air molecules), the diesel engine performs poorly. Cold air on a diesel is probably more important than cold air on a gasser, because there is no such thing as "lean" on a diesel engine. No matter how much air you put into the engine, the same amount of fuel is going to be injected. So the more air, the better.

I would leave the cold starting up to properly functioning glow plugs and cold start advance. The diesel engine loves cold air!

[Jettage1]

Thanks for the feedback.  I''ll see if I can leave it in place and still get everything fit in.  

Additional opinions welcome, of course