Have heard conflicting stories on CAI's...does the K&N CAI need a tune or can it just be installed out of the box??? What about the different brands??

 

K&N does not need a tune. There are others out there that don't need a tune, but I can't tell you which ones offhand.

 

You wont see the true gain w/o the tune tho.

 

+1. The tune is just as important, maybe even more important.

 

A K&N drop in filter will get you 90% of the hp as a K&N intake

 

i was always of the mindset that if you drop in a filter but don't program for it, you won't get the most benifit. I have a JLT CAI and filter with and SCTII tuner with tune from Bamachips. It makes difference. I had my GT dynoed about a year after I got it and it was putting out 287 hp and 314 lb. ft of torque at the rear wheels with nothing but a SLP axleback exhaust. Never got it dynoed after i put on the CAI and tunes.

 

I have an Anderson Power Pipe on my S/C Roush and it does not need a tune. It comes with a replacement MAF and gives me close to an additional 20 horses..

 

I got an airaid intake that doesn't require a tune and then bought the SCT from brenspeed later. I was able to spend the same without a package deal. I will tell you that the intake made a noticeable difference but the tune made a dramatic one. I think partly because the drive by wire tweaks on top of the additional power.

 

I just installed a WMS CAI. It doesn't require a tune. Western Motorsports claim a 23-25 HP pickip.

 

My K&N intake gained 3HP on the dyno with no tune and the car ran richer I guess 'cause of the extra air.
You are better off with no intake and a tune.

 

Agree, a tune is a dramatic change, especially with the sct you can acutally get 3 tunes.

 

Get the cai/tune! It's definently worth it!