most of AEM and "true" cold air intake, for that matter, mount the intake filter in the wheel well area so..like said its lower than the rising heat and its usually in a path of fresh airflow...
and as far as cold airs on 1zz motors in my mr2 it made a noticible increase over the factory "CAI"....yea its not +20hp but its still enough hp gain to notice, better throtle responce and better gas milage...
and the original question was will cai be be better than ram air....not how much of an increase it will make....and the answer would be yes a "true" cold air is going to be better than a ram air...it will produce beter gas milage and yes the performance gain may only be 1hp and not be enough to notice...