Turbocharger question, generic

[FMARTIN <fmartin@ithaca.edu>]

I've been puzzling over this question: If one has a turbocharged motor, and 
one were to figure out a way to re-route the air intake ducting (before the 
aircleaner) so that, instead of the usual behind-a-headlamp/other seemingly 
"dead" area, one now has a nice simple ducting hose that's mostly open to a 
"ram air" effect (i.e. just below the bumper or behind a whole in same, out of 
the hot engine compartment), would one gain much HP to speak of?   I was 
thinking, sure, it must add something to have your air intake sitting in 60+ 
MPH cool air, but my next thought is: but, if one's system limits your intake 
boost at a certain level, 1.3 bar or whatever, wouldn't "ram-air" be a moot 
point?? If you rammed air into your intake at 130 MPH, wouldn't your boost 
still be limited at that same 1.3 bar, producing the same HP?  Would the 
potential decrease in incoming intake-air temperature alone give you a 
worthwhile gain to make this worthwhile? 

And related to this, if your boost is limited at 1.3 bar or whatever, how does 
adding an aftermarket air cleaner lower-restriction system (i.e. K&N) do 
anything at all for you, steady throttle, *horsepower-wise*? (I don't mean to 
start another K&N love-it/hate-it debate.) If you're popping off at 1.3 or 
whatever, why would you see any difference...except maybe in throttle 
response?  Is that the real key?

Thanks for any constructive thoughts. I'm at the point of confusing myself. 
(Another case of "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?")

Frank M. 
'89 100Q (atmo. engine - would ram-air make more sense here?)
'88 Mazda 323 GTX (ok, turbocharged. sneaky way to get in a not necc. Audi           
question to the All-Powerful Q-list)