Before I consider buying a ram tube, I have a concern I would like to bring up... Living in the south where we have huge thunderstorns that unload massive amount of water, I am concerned as to where the tube is positioned that I will be sucking in some water.... should I worry about this? does the tube even make a difference?

I'm concerned with that as well so I'm not getting one. I also think the duct is on the small side. Seeing as how that duct isn't the only inlet to the airbox, it might be OK. I'm just not willing to risk it. I also have tow hooks that I put on mine so those would have to go as well.

I tired hooking up a dryer duct to mine at the track but I didn't see any gains and it was 3" diameter all the way with a 5" diameter scoop. This is not to say they don't work, but with the mods I have I saw no gains.

There is a drain hole in the bottom of the Volant airbox that should relieve small amounts of water, should it make it that far. You could enlarge this drain hole, and/or add a 'sock' over the filter. K&N carries these in various sizes for cone filters.