dac64

Brand new stock 08 GT/CS. Can I put a K&N CAI without worrying about the car's computer, or would I need to purchase something else to adjust the tuning of the car?

thanks!

MustangRetribution

they have cai that are supposedly useable without a tune. Its my opinion though that its possible to still run to lean, which makes me decidedly uncomfortable

dac64

New to this stuff, what is ment by running to lean?

MustangRetribution

Running lean means you arn't getting enough fuel mixed for the amount of air comming in.
Extremely lean fuel mixtures can also burn spark plugs and pistons and contribute to engine-damaging conditions such as detonation and preignition.

dac64

Noted.

Any damage because of this?

MustangRetribution

yeah sorry realized I was being to vague so I edited and elaborated.

also I should add that Im not saying it will happen, i just rather not take the risk

dac64

That doesnt sound like it is worth the risk.

LEO_06GT

I ran my K&N intake for 3 months before I got the tune. No problems here. A big company like K&N wouldn't advertise no tune if it required one. With that said if you have the money just buy a C&L or JLT with Tune.

MustangRetribution

I could be overly paranoid as I havent heard anyone having this problem with non tune cai but spending near 300 dollars, whats another 300 dollars for a sct2 and a tune from brenspeed or whatever place you prefer and then any other future upgrades you may desire that may require a tune, well you already have a tuner

slipnotovk

ive had my K&N in there w/o a tune for over a year and i have had ZERO problems. just couldnt afford the tuner so i went with K&N and it did improve acceleration but you wont be getting the other advantages a tuner will give you.

but as for the K&N, no problems here what-so-ever

karman

My K&N ran RICH without a tune.
Might cause carbon fouling, but no serious damage.
I only ran it that way for about 2000 miles, no problems or codes though.

mhk

No problems here with K&N, tune or no tune. Improves the sound as well.

dac64

Thanks for all the info guys!

ok...I have decided to purchase both the CIA and tuner. My next question is, which CIA and tuner is best?

Thanks!

Mayito514

Take a look at Modular Depot's new CAI, Ken has done a terrific job with it.

302svt

CAI and Tuner is the only way to go if you have the funds. It also makes the car a lot more drivable.

karman

Don't use the CIA !!! They might report you to the EPA.
The best bang for the buck is the JLT II.
A local Dyno tune is the best, but Bamachips or Brenspeed can give you a good tune (sometimes even perfect). It is just nice to know what your A/F ratio is because too lean can hurt the engine and too rich can foul it. Each engine is just a hair different from the next. If you can make it to a dyno and get good readings the good tuners can e-mail you a re-adjusted tune even if the dyno guy doesn't know how.

SONICBOOST

jlt/sct combo. I got mine from bamachips and I love it. I have had it on there for about a year without any problems. One of the cheapest cai and produces the most hp gains.