The Firebird / Trans Am WS6 hoods and air box seems like it would work better, but I feel placing the air box in the center would be difficult.

Thoughts?

That impala box is very curvy, and not good for laminar flow. The best ram air effect would be like older firebirds, a straight shot, but we have FWD.

Also, notice that the engine is turned to the front, thus RWD. The TB is in the front, ours is on the driver'* side. You'd have to turn the whole intake assembly, and I'm not sure that plastic right above the rear bank is a good idea...

Also, on the water issue, I think the difference is water dispersion. On the cars that hydrolocked, I think that the water was too voluminous, and thus more dangerous. Water in the intake charge becomes more beneficial the more you can disperse the water, much like the effect of venturis in a carburetor. Like Will said, there are way too many warning signs before you can hydrolock.

has anyone tried taking air from the grille? what about the dryer tube ducting that some people are running. You will have to put a bend somewhere, unless you take out your headlights.

I have some pix of my ducting.

http://members.cardomain.com/bonnieboimn

I dont know if we are specifically talking about the pre 2000 models, but over the weekend when I was installing my angel eye driving lights I had to remove both headlights, and of course both factory fogs. What I noticed was a piece of plastic, that is easily removable above the fog lights, but hidden from "front on" view that would allow a LOT more air flow into the either the stock air box, or aftermarket CAI. If you wanted to install a duct of some sort, it would be a straight shot, no bends and hardly noticeable. Another option would be to do a RAM scoop from the bottom of the vehicle (I've seen this done on some GP'*) and I would bet would be similar in gain to an expensive RAM air hood factoring in the bends/turns the air would take getting from the opening to the TB as well as the heat factor (the air getting warmer b/c it is passing through, around, in, the engine compartment.)

?

is the radiator in the way for us to use the top grille in these cars? (Its too cold here for me to go out and look)

in the 2000 the radiator is in the way. There is'nt even any area wide enough, without dipping below the bumper, for a small dryer duct to go...