I live in AZ also and have a K&N cone. Unprotected, the surface of K&N cone would get very hot. Not good. However, I designed a heat shield that almost totally isolates the K&N. Performance was greatly improved. Even after the longest drives, and no matter hoe hot the engine is, the K&N surface now feels like the temperature outside. On cold days, the K&N is actually cold to the touch! I will begin selling the heatshields very soon so let me know if you are interested.