82 4ks air intake and 'heat deflector shield' questions

[nicksimc]

On the intake port that leads to the airflow meter on my 82 4ks, there is a 
plastic piece that has two openings.  One is approx. 2in in diameter and is 
angled down towards the passenger side front bumper where the little intake 
hole is.  The other is the approx. 1.5in in diameter and pointed towards the 
'heat deflector shield' (as my Haynes manual calls it) that covers the exhaust 
manifold, which has an opening of the same size.  The angle between the two 
pieces is probably 10-20 degrees, and could be easily spanned by a short 
length of air hose.  I want to fabricate some sort of airscoop, and I'm 
wondering whether I should route the air into the plastic piece and span the 
gap, or remove the piece and and run straight into the airbox.  The first 
choice _seems_ to be the obvious one, but I'm at a total loss, because I have 
not seen this plastic piece on any other 4ks, it isn't shown in my Haynes 
manual, I haven't seen it in any junkyards or referred to on any websites, 
etc.

Thanks in advance,

M Nicksic

82 4ks