I have been scoping out the tuner\CAI combo packages at brenspeed, and I wondering if one CAI is that much different than another. The 2 that I am looking at are over $100.00 in price difference (I listed them below). Do I shell out the extra cash and get the more expensive package, or could I save the money and expect same\similar results with the cheaper package.

Here’s what I was looking at:

$659.00 C&L AIR INTAKE WITH SCT X-CAL 2 2005/07 GT
$554.00 JLT 2 INTAKE W/ XCAL2 05-07 GT

If anyone else has a recommendation (even if it’s a different CAI) please feel free to comment.

Thanks!

 

They all help.
JLT probably flows the most.
C&L is really good.
K&N won't throw a code with no tune.
Granatelli has a funky resistor/MAF to prevent throwing a code with no tune.
Bamachip and Brenspeed rules.
Custom tune on a dyno makes sure everything is okay.
blah,blah,blah...

 

If you can swing the extra dough, the C&L unit is very nice. The JLT makes the best HP/Dollar kit, and only lose maybe 1-3 horses for the 100 dollar difference. Either kit you will be happy with!

CR
Tillman Speed

 

quick question, while on the topic of CAI.

can you just buy the CAI and buy the bamachip tune separate?

 

Quick answer: Yes. But I think you can take advantage of packaged pricing (CAI+Tune) when you buy them together.

 

You can purchase a CAI from anywhere, and a tune at a seperate time from anywhere. You usually save money when you buy the SCT XCal2 preloaded with 3 tunes and the intake at once. Plus the tune is neccessary for the intake to run correctly.

CR
Tillman Speed

 

yeah but i heard the bama tune is way much better than the canned tunes, so i wanted to just get the cai and bama tune instead of buying two tunes?

sorry i'm a newbie.

 

It's not a problem, and not a dumb question, either.

The canned tunes are pretty crappy, honestly. A custom tuner such as Bamachips, Brenspeed, or myself would provide you with much better tunes. The SCT XCal2 package that you buy with the cold air intake of your choice (such as JLT or C&L) will come with 3 tunes already preloaded into it (into the XCal2 hand programmer). You get to pick which fuel octane (87 89 91 92 93 94), and what kind of tunes you'd like (ie. Race tune, Torque Tune, Performance Tune).

This is different than the SF Strategy Flash SCT device with the "canned tunes". The XCal2 device comes blank from SCT, and you go to an SCT dealer to get your tunes programmed into it. The XCal2 is short for "X Calibrator 2".

Most tuners sell them already preloaded to meet the specs of your intake and any other modifications you may have. This eliminates having to buy tunes seperately. You just order the intake and XCal2 setup, and when it arrives, you install the intake and put the tune from the hand programmer (XCal2) into your car. I sent you a PM to further help you out.

Good luck!

CR
Tillman Speed

 

I would get the jlt and save the extra $100. I have it and love it.

 

I agree. The JLT Series II intake and XCal2 w/ 3 tunes is the way to go. I sell them for $535 shipped to the door. But Bamachips and Brenspeed are priced very competitively, and won't steer you wrong either.

CR
Tillman Speed

 

Quick question (forgive my ignorance). If I buy a CAI/SCT XCal2 combo and take it to a local shop to get it tuned on a dyno, then is there any need or benefit for the Bama or Bren tunes?

The shop would be optimizing the tune for my car, while the Bama and Bren tunes are based on testing of a variety of S197s right?

Are these tunes (bama, bren) for folks that don't plan to take it to a dyno, but they are better than the canned one?

 

We all test cars that come into the facility, and that's how we get the tunes we offer to the public. The absolute best way is to get tuned on the dyno in person. It's also nice to buy one of our tunes and bring it to a dyno to have something to start with. You'll usually find that we're right on! The small fuel adjustments might need to be made.

CR
Tillman Speed

 

If you plan on purchasing your X-Cal II/CAI combo from a local shop that will also write your tuning files along with dyno tuning your car ? Then there's no real purpose or benefit for the Bama or Bren tunes..However Bamachips and Brenspeed tunes are almost just as good as having your car custom tuned on the dyno only at a fraction of the price but make no mistake no matter what shop or dealer you purchase your combo from ? you should always take your vehicle to a reputable shop to get both your tunes and air/fuel tested as every car responds to tuning mods differently..Technically speaking anything other than your car being custom tuned on a dyno by a local dealer/shop is considered a canned tune although there's a very huge difference between mail order custom tunes and canned tunes like those from the SCT Strategy Flash programmer which are considered more as generic tuners meaning their tuning files are written for multiple vehicles where on the other hand a custom mail order tune like from Bamachips or Brenspeed are custom program files written specifically for your car and whatever mods you've done or plan on adding in the future..Therefore if your looking to save money and want a custom quality tune ? Bamachips, Brenspeed, TillmanSpeed and Powerhouse Automotive are 4 of the best SCT tuner/dealers in the industry IMHO

 

CR/Rocky,

Thanks for the responses. So to summarize (if I got it right):
1. Canned Tunes = inexpensive yet least optimized for your car
2. Custom mail order tunes = a little more money but better optimized for your car
3. Local Tune (on dyno with X-Cal II/CAI) is more expensive but best optimization for you car.

I took my 96GT to Steen Racing http://www.steenracing.com/ recently and found out that they have a dynometer and carry JLT CAIs with both the SCT and Diablo. Just looking at some of my future performance options.

 

You're absolutely 100% correct Mark, you got it right..

 

Personally, I could not be happier with my JLT w/SCT 93 race tune by BamaChips . I've heard good "things" about Brenspeed, Evolution, Tillman, and Powerhouse as well.

 

If you go with either Myself, Bama, Brenspeed, and I think Powerhouse as well... if the tune needs adjustment it's taken care of no charge.

I know the way it works here, we'll work your tune until it's perfect if you have access to a dyno or wideband.

I know Bren and Bama work that way as well. And I'm pretty sure Powerhouse.

CR
Tillman Speed

 

Here is a good article that you might want to read before deciding on which CAI to purchase.

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/tec...e_comparisons/

So far the SCT tuning device and capabilities of the software are pretty much in the lead.
The most important attribute is to find a tuner that actually tests all of his tunes before releasing them to the public.
Everyone speaks very highly of Doug w/ Bamachips and rightly so.

 

Thanks for the article. That's exactly what I was looking for.

 

I got the JLT and tune from Brenspeed a couple weeks ago, and I LOVE IT. I was torn between the same two also but went with the JLT and used the extra $$ for UDPs. With the difference in cost it was like getting the UDPs for only an extra $80.