I just installed one of these on my GT, model 3505. I did the computer reset per the owners manual after install. While out on the 10+ mile drive after the reset, the CEL light came on at about 15 miles.

I came home and double checked all the clamps and connections, mass air connector, and the angle of the MA sensor. I mounted the billet MA tube so that the angle and position of the sensor is very close to the stock mounting posistion. I have not had a chance to try and reset the computer again, I will do that this saturday.

The car seems to be idling and running just fine with a slight gain in pickup as well, so the CAI "seems" to be working as advertised (10-15hp gain w/no tune).

I sent a message to MAC tech support, and this was their answer:

"Unfortunately your e.c.u is on the sensitive side. We can issue you a return number and flow bench the system, we can adjust entry angle to get the get the light off."

I have sent a reply to MAC to see if this is something I can "adjust" or get them to send me a properly calibrated unit. I don't think it's cool to buy something like this and have to send it back to have it "flow benched" to work properly.

While waiting for them to reply, I may try adjusting the rotational angle of the MA tube to see if that gets the light to stay out.

Has anyone else installed this unit? If so, what was your experience?

I really like the looks of this CAI on the car and would like to keep it on. I do not have a tuner or code scanner to check what is causing the CEL but I may take it to Advanced Auto Parts up the street from me or to the dealer to have the code checked.
jeff

 

I bought and installed the MAC CAI about 2 months ago. I never had the Check Engine light come on but I read Doug's (BamaChips) comment about the car running very lean so I took it out and will buy a tuner later this summer. I do alot of road course track days and I do not want to be surprised in a couple years of having engine damage due to running too lean.

I bought the MAC CAI for the price, the look and the gain it advertised (read the Cold Score article on Mustang 5.0 magazine site). Had I known it was better to have a tune, I would have bought the K&N CAI.

Good luck !

 

I have the MAC and couldn't get the CEL to stay off. I never tried to rotate the MA tube, but don't really think that will help. I removed the unit until I got my Predator and then checked the codes, sure enough it was lean. If you have the money for the tuner I would definatly go that route. After installing the tune the response was even better and I gained another 10 or so ponies to boot. I was running the 91 octane tune straight from Diablo before the dyno tune and didn't have any problems. Brent from DTP sent me a tune when I installed my C&L inlet tube (also had to get the heat sheild from them) and I'm really pleased with it. Even though MAC can get the light off, there is still no way to tell what A/F ratio you are running.

 

those intakes require a reflash , if you dont you run to lean , and start scoring you cylinders . I do not recomend running without the flash . Idoesnt take long to score a cyl. from a lean condition , plus you over heat alot easier

 

I was able to eliminate the CEL by rotating the MAF tube upward by approx. 3/16", measured at the wire plug-in of the MA sensor plug. This is very close to the posistion of the sensor when mounted in the facory MA tube/airbox lid.

I would think that as long as the AF ratio is within the parameters set by Ford in the ECU (I believe it has a small range, not a specific value), it should be fine. From what I have read, if the ECU detects a lean condition, it will try to enrich. If it detects rich, it will try to lean it out in an effort to mantain the original settings in the ECU. If an acceptable measurement cannot be obtained, you would get the CEL.

I have put about 350 miles on the car since installation and it is running great. I have not had the CEL and the temp gauge runs exactly where it always has.

With all the uncertanty about this issue, I am tempted to have my car run on the dyno just to check. There is a local shop that will give you three runs with wide band O2 for $75.