Thats actually pretty clever of your friend. *mental note*.
Sometimes volume of IC=delay or lack of proper air intake source. That also depends on where the inlet is, and at what speed ones traveling at compared to the location of the cool air inlet. If its some sort of homemade "ram air" (as I had), it can increase flow considerably to the IC and turbo.
I think using the cool air inlet through the fenderwall is primarilly for non-race applications. Also, ANYTHING that resides in the engine compartment, concerning cool air intake inlet is GARBAGE!. What a horrible source for cool air!
Something low (cooler air down there) and just behind the front skirt, but direct to open, low air is extremely useable, and draws an EXTREMELY cool charge. Drawing that air makes a HUGE difference. "Heat Rises", so cool is low. Of course, you could possibly also have an a/b bypass to run tubing to the fenderwell for safety of water, debris, etc in more standardized driving. Just make another piece to fit the fenderwell setup, another K&N (I hate saying their name, for ricer reference) and swap tubing.
Essentially youd have 2 K&Ns, one located under the front skirt, another in the fenderwell. Strip and Street. Just switch tubing for applications. My little idea.
The low cool air inlet is also not good for large lake-like puddles when you cant see out the windshield, as I found out. I got lucky, no hydraulic-ing of the motor, not even a slight bend in any rods. Pushed it backwards in 1st gear, threw the water right out of the intake. It was FULL! Gak!