Fusion--you've posted a good question; it's one that I thought about soon after I purchased my 1979 (back in 1979). Not to go into a long discussion, but will relate that when I first considered whether the stock air flow was good, I was into autocrossing. I ran the TA with exceptional success winning often because of the cars very good braking and handling. Running events against Corvettes that were older and with more power, I decided it was time to evaluate cutting open the hole in the rear of my shaker scoop. After reading extensively on air boxes and the high pressure area found near the windshield, I opted to open the scoop. I also made a plexiglass "stopper" that could close it off if needed. I studied the effect of air flow, crude, I'd say, but a study nonetheless that had me taping strands of yarn to the rear of the scoop. What was revealed was the effect of "draw through the scoop" at part and wide-open throttle. When cruising, the yarn barely moved. There's a zone, where the flow over the hood and the scoop, where the yarn remained very still while cruising, even as speed increased. However, as soon as the throttle is opened part way to accelerate, the yarn was "sucked" into the scoop opening. This was even more dramatic under WOT. Because of the added pressure zone, and the ambient temperature (usually cooler than under the hood), an open shaker remains on my TA today. Cooler condensed air improves volumetric efficiency that in turn develops better combustion and more power. So, while the underhood air ducting makes the engine bay stock-like in appearance, it is, in my opinion, less than ideal for performance. BTW, the snorkel is closed so all air enters through the shaker scoop.
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