Those of us living in a tempered climate zone, will know how well an engine can run on a chilly afternoon, when it clears up after rain, the air is cool, and the humidity is slightly above average.
I have seen statements, telling that the power will change 1% for each 7.2 degree change in intake air temperature, because of the difference in air density. Those numbers are most likely lab figures. They may have some validity in racing, but will probably not be valid for a normal daily driver.
In my opinion, Mopars in general have too small air filter elements. The small filter area, and small passages in a stock SL6 air filter, may benefit from cold air intake, simply because you will get more cool, dense air through the same air cleaner box and filter passages, than you will get with hot air. A cold air intake increases the efficiency of the whole intake system in that respect.
On the other hand, the SL6 normally need the heated intake manifold to produce good fuel economy and driveability, so the question is whether the amount of fuel enriched air in the intake runners is increased with a cold air intake, just because the outside air is cooler.
My gut feeling is that the increased air flow through the otherwise stock intake system, that you will get from adding a cold air intake, just serve to overcome some restrictions. The resulting increase in power can be felt, and measured, especially when the engine need a good air supply during accelleration, or at high engine speeds in general. Except for stop-and-go traffic, a low restriction air cleaner with a tall 14" filter element may give the same effect as a cold air intake. But then again, you'll miss the advantage of having a snorkel with a heated air intake to prevent carburetor icing.
And we talk only carbureted engines here.
Cooler air to an EFI with injectors in each intake runner - depending on the air measuring system - may in some cases be very notable.
Here is a link to a thread on intake ducts
Olaf
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