I'm already running a Brenspeed xcal2 87 octane tune with factory intake and fram air hog filter. Would there be any horsepower/torque gains going to a C&L cai and a revised 87 tune? I won't be raising the octane. If I don't raise the octane will the cai just be eye-candy only?

 

Not at all. I had a get me going tune from Tillman before I put my headers on. I bought the JLT II and the headers at the same time. I would guess 20 HP just the tune and JLT II. I never dyno'd after the tune and JLT. After the headers went on I had it custom tuned local jump of 41 from stock on 87oct. Tillman 87 perf was 315 and the custom tune took care of a rich condition and gave me 316 with a nice AFR across the entire range.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Saying not at all is pretty much opposite of what every manufacturer states. If you change to a CAI and retune you should get at least another 15hp (depending on which CAI you go with).

 

I was saying not at all to the eye candy part of the question. I gained HP without changing octane. I was guessing at how much however.

 

the higher the octane you go, the more power you'll get.

 

the more you can advance the timing without pinging

 

Get the cold air kit and 87-?-93 octane tunes and run what you like. I will have to tell you that once you go to the higher octane tune you most likely won't be going back to 87!

 

If you can, go to the 93 octane tune, It will be a different car.
I couldn't believe the difference, will never go back to 87.