Read an article in the latest MM&FF (FEB 2006) under Tech: Suspension Shakedown, pg.146.

K&N CAI filter kit

"Note, there was no altering of the factory computer, and contrary to rumors that have gone around, the Mustang runs fine with no additional tuning."

"With that, the 4.6 was breathing better because horsepower climbedf from 275.88 to 284.46. Peak torque was up by three numbers, but there was an improvement of 9 lb-ft of torque from 5,000 to 5.900 rpm." (ref pg. 155)

 

Basically it depends on the manufacterer,

both K&N and MRT say that no tune is required for them.

 

As well as the WMS intake (standard 80mm MAF version) does not need a tune. The WMS intake (95mm MAF version) does.

 

AEM also says no tune required on it's Brute Force intake.

 

But look at the gains without a tune... aren't you used to seeing 20+ of a gain with just a bolt on in older models? 20+ won't happen without a tune.

 

I can't speak to the gains from bolt-ons on older models because I have no experience modding one. I have the WMS intake (haven't dynod) but 5.0 Mustang and Super Fords tested 11 intakes and in their article they achieved the same gains WMS claims on their website which was just under 20 rwhp and about 15 peak torque gain, no tune.

 

No tune required for the S&B (Ford Racing) one either:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...50&#entry615150

 

Please explain how you arrived at those numbers from that article's test results for the WMS CAI without a tune. I see gains of 23.4 rwhp and 20.4 rwt for that CAI with a tune in the article, but I cannot seem to find test results of 20 rwhp and approx. 15 rwt for that CAI without a tune in the same article.

 

You are absolutely correct on the #s. I was mistaken, the article does state 23.4 rwhp and 20.4 rwt for the WMS system with a tune and not the just under 20 and about 15 tq that I mentioned above.

I think the tune though in the article was a tune used to get a baseline for the A/F ratio and not a full performance tune because at the end of the article it mentions to get an additional tune to to really take advantage of the CAIs to see gains in addition to their findings.

From the dyno sheet in the article, stock power at 5400 RPM was 261.31 and with the SCT tune (keeping stock intake) went to 270.28, an increase of 8.97 rwhp. I looked at the CAIs that were listed that had comparison #s for their intake 'without the tune' and 'with the SCT tune' and the difference the tune made was anywhere from 3-4 rwhp. So judging by the small increase of rwhp #s resulting from the tune this tune was just to baseline the a/f ratio and not a full performance tune like from BRENSPEED or Doug/Bamachips? Taking 4 rwhp off the tuned 23.4 the magazine attained equals 19.4 which is what WMS achieved on a dyno without a tune.

I am by no means an expert and there are a lot of members on here with MUCH more experience at this than I. So if I failed to take into account anything and my logic doesn't "add up" please, correct me. I want to learn.