Wow - lots of stuff here. Cowl induction hoods on the old Chevies worked because 1) there is a high pressure air area at the base of the windshield and 2) they allowed the carb to pick up cold outside air instead of hot underhood air. The old Chevie cowl induction was simply cold air for a carbed set up - not much different than the air cleaners (like 85 stang's) that had hoses running from the fender or grill area to the air filter. Every NASCAR engine has cold air picked up from the high pressure area at the base of the windshield - cowl induction.
On most stangs a cowl hood simply 1) creates hood clearance for taller motors/intakes, and 2) allows warm air a path to escape from under the hood - which may result in an intake manfold that's a bit cooler (probably not much).
Ram air generally takes speeds well in excess of the legal limit to create a real benefit. On the street, as a practical matter, ram air = cold air. For a dedicated racer, ram air can benefit - but only slightly.
So - get cold air to the intake. Vent underhood air as best you can. Only use ram air on a racer - most street applications complain of picking up debris and water.
On most stangs a cowl hood simply 1) creates hood clearance for taller motors/intakes, and 2) allows warm air a path to escape from under the hood - which may result in an intake manfold that's a bit cooler (probably not much).
Ram air generally takes speeds well in excess of the legal limit to create a real benefit. On the street, as a practical matter, ram air = cold air. For a dedicated racer, ram air can benefit - but only slightly.
So - get cold air to the intake. Vent underhood air as best you can. Only use ram air on a racer - most street applications complain of picking up debris and water.