[TerrysSPF]

The TP was supposed to keep the hot air from the engine away from the carb. It was never meant to "seal" up against the hood of the car.

I know a reputable engine builder in Ohio that performed dyno test with, and without the pan on the engine and there was a LOSS of HP with the pan on.

While I like the looks of Chas's set up, I'm not sure how much air he's actually getting into the carbs. The forward facing scoop on a Cobra is very small / thin. Generally, forward facing scoops are designed to keep air flowing THROUGH an engine bay, thus keeping it cooler. The air comes in the front of the car and escaspes through the bottom of the bay and through the side vents (like on Cobra's & Corvettes).
Performance scoops that seal to the hood and direct air into the carb generally enter from the REAR of the hood (called cowl induction) which draws air / wind in from the windshield. This type of setup is very productive and definately increases HP.
Check out the hood of a 69 Z-28 or a 1970 Chevelle SS (both of which I've owned in the past) and you will see what I'm talking about. Corvettes that had the L88 427 also had this type of hood setup. They all included a rubber gasket around the air cleaner which sealed to the bottom of the hood.

IMO, if you want more air to get into the carb on a Cobra, buy a bigger air cleaner. The S&H 8" cleaners are too restrictive (even with the K&N filter). But, they are period-correct, and they (along with the TP) look cool. -Which is why I kept it on my SPF (although I usually ran the car without the TP and only put that on for shows).