There are a lot of cars that have air intakes in the bumper and at the bottom of a wheel arch, so the wadding depth is not that bad all considered. But a deep ford is a know know.
As a point of reference on my 2009 Sport the air intake pipe was zip tied to the bottom of the Chassis as it came from the factory so not much difference in hight and that is behind the front wheels which I found more alarming than my new position
Behind the grill to the Near side.
Can be viewed here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...e=1&theaterThis is not recommended at all, we have forded the Mog with a rubber floor over the grill with a good bow wave no water was ingested by the engine but the cockpit did start to filled with water from the floor and bulk head area.......
Peter as you say 'Defiantly needs some heat wrap'.
or maybe an alternative route, along the bonnet line in the middle,