Does K&N FIPK on 2000 4.7 liter V8 make my Jeep louder?

All the K&N style intakes I have seen include metal (heat conductive) piping and the air intake is located on a top side wall of the engine compartment usually quite near an (really hot) exhaust manifold.

What is the purpose of he metal baffle that surrounds the filter element other than to radiate heat into the incoming air?

My stock air box and tubing is manufactured of a plastic compound that always remains a touchable temperature and there is a "ram air" snorkel that takes the intake air from the OUTSIDE of the engine compartment.

What ever happened to the foam "pre-filters" that you used to be able to get back-in-the-day when all air filters were round?

But it is also not what I was talking about. Dave was trying to argue, based on theoretical principles, that the K&N would not increase his fuel economy. Your engine isn't going to last forever, either. I already have gotten a lot of miles out of my engine. I imagine I will be trading it in, or rebuilding it for other reasons, long before the alleged dust in the intake tube ever becomes an issue.

Earle

attempting,