The 3.0l Vulcan had the ICING issue not other models, and only in cold climates
PCV Valve is also "heated" on a few different model engines
Yes, all Fuel Injected Rangers came with cold air intake from the factory, which has 200% flow, so nothing needed there
Yes, colder air is denser than warmer air, i.e. Hot air rises, why?........because its lighter than colder air
Which is why engines/vehicles, feel "peppier" in the winter time, colder air, but MPG also goes down, no its not just about winter grade fuel, lol
Air/fuel mix is a WEIGHT ratio, 14.7:1
14.7 pounds of air, to 1 pound of gasoline
So if the air is denser it weighs more, so more fuel can be added
The MAF sensor weighs the incoming air, so thats where the mix ratio changes for temp, not in the upper intake, although there is an air temp sensor there, on most engines, as well
Does the warmer intake lower performance, no not enough to notice, in dyno tests it wouldn't be noticed and if it was it would be so small a difference as not to matter
The velocity of the air traveling thru that section wouldn't change its temp very much, but it would prevent ICING on its surfaces
Cold air intake works because it pulls in air that will be at least 20deg cooler than inside a warmed up engine bay
But I doubt that the intake manifolds air temp, while engine is running, changes that incoming air temp by more than 2deg, less at higher RPMs because of the velocity of the air, its just not in the intakes long enough for much heat transfer to take place
In NASCAR every edge can help, from running nitrogen in the tires to chilling the fuel, would you notice a difference chilling your fuel..............no, nor would running nitrogen in the tires help
A good running, well serviced and tuned engine, is what you want