Is there any way to completely remove the stock airbox, as in the part that sits just behind the headlight? I think that a better ram air/CAI system could be created this way.

Yup. Two 10mm screws hold it down in in front, then loosening a hose clamp and yanking it out. Unless you just want to remove the front piece of the airbox. Then there'* two clips holding it to the rest of the airbox. But the filter isn't secured in there at all.

You are talking about the airbox that connects to the MAF sensor, i am talking about the other piece that is closer to the headlight.

That'* what I was talking about.
You want to remove the front half of the airbox, correct?

Yes, i know i saw 2 screws near the top on the body and it looked like one big screw near the bottom, it looked a little hard to get at. I am looking to create a ram air configuration, hooked up to in intake with a heat shield on it. It is all very cheap(home depot) but should be a noticeable increase. I am doing it mostly for sound anyway.

Without the SC, you're not going to get much of a different sound, except at cold idle. Many of us are running similar setups, but if I were you, I'd look into the "return of ADTR" post in the Vendor'* forum.

That bolt you're talking about can be reached easily with a 6" extension. If you're really serious about this, read the Techinfo article on this subject....and make sure you lose the stock air delivery tube (the accordian looking thing) on your TB. It creates turbulence that you don't need.

Even with a cone intake, the sound will be unaffected? Hmm, I did this in my Grand Am with a major difference in sound, not for others, but inside the car especially under hard accelleration, the sound was fairly loud.

I'm comparing to the SC sound.....yes, it will be different than what you have. It will also help with efficiency. If you can get the air delivery smooth enough, you can also remove the MAF screen.....just more restriction that you don't need.

BTW the cone I got was a wierd I picked up from Pepboys. It has a plastic cover on it (heat shield of sorts) with a large hole at the top and holes one the sides. The intake inside is also a cone with a tip to it. Is this decent, I believe it is made by APC.

APC? Don't get me started..... If it moves air, you'll be ok. I'm just not a big fan of APC.