They mount and hook up like the actuall Mach 1,was looking into it for my GT.Ive seen it installed on 2 gt's.There is a duct that goes from the air box to TB,then another comes off the airbox to the shaker,I dont think it would pull any more dirt than not having the shaker,basiclly pulls the air the same way the gt's do,plus air through the scoop.Im about to change out my filter and its pretty clean,and I beleive its the original.
Ooops,didnt catch the part where you said your cars didnt have the air box...im not damiliar with pre 01 stangs.