Air scoop cover idea
 

Hey there. Long time lurker, I have a 2000 986 2.7L with around 107k miles on it.
And I've had all kinds of trouble with this car which has finally been mostly resolved. The first year I didn't do a thing to it and parked it for the winter after driving it home from Anchorage.

Second year (last year), all kinds of things broke. Coolant expansion tank. starter, immobilizer, ignition switch, I replaced coil packs and spark plugs chasing after a fouling / misfiring issue that was finally resolved this year with replacement of the AOS.

Anyway, some previous owner has de-snorkeled it and installed a butt-rocker style cone air filter and ditched the stock filter housing. Oh well, it's live-with-able.

But my question was that, what's going on with the air intake on other side of the car? The side that doesn't have the snorkel and air intake? Why is there even an air induction vent on the passenger side (US)? Is it only to make it match the other side or is there an actual reason for it?

And the follow up question: how would it be to maybe 3D print or otherwise manufacture a cover for this unused air intake? I think it would look cool and pretty unique to have a smooth panel replacing that part.
Thanks!

Passenger side air vent has a engine bay cooling function - also a fan that pull cold air in if the engine bay gets too hot.