IMO Art is on the right path with this one. Leave the existing filter in place and rig some sort of rudimentary pre-filter; the larger the better.

Like Yuccca said, a lack of air is going to cause the car to start running richer and richer until (eventually) there isn't enough oxygen present to ignite the air/fuel mixture at all. If cars were overheating maybe ash was caking up in the radiator fins and not allowing sufficent cooling.
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