Well Z, I have one of those fancy radios, the Futaba 14SG with Telemetry. This plane is certainly a candidate for the engine Temperature sensor as will be the P-51 when I get it. The Temp of the engine will be transmitted back to my radio as well as air speed, or altitude, or RPM of the engine, or even the fuel tank level... Hmm, we've come a long way baby...
As far as the intake, perhaps you can.. I would make sure it is well broke in before I close it in like that. Like I said, this cooling design is an experiment and the blister for the plug is a great idea, it doesn't need much to close it in.