Hey bud, I have had the Airaid CAI in my car since I bought it. I liked the way it looked, the composite tube was nice (no heat soak, like the metal ones), and IMO they offer the best airbox around (totally seals the filter out). I didn't tune my car when I got it, but then bought an X-Cal II and tune from Doug a year after. Car ran great with it.

Once I got the longtubes, I went the custom dyno tuning route. CR @ Tillman tuned my car with only the Airaid CAI and longtubes from American Racing with hi-flow catted H pipe, and got me 302 to the tires. That translates to 350 flywheel hp (16% driveline loss). And the best thing? The insert is still in. I've been told and have read it elsewhere, that taking the insert out, really makes for too much air, and tuning can be tricky. I may go back and get another tune, with the insert out, but for now, the car is a beast, and runs like a dream! You won't go wrong with this setup.

 

I think maybe airraid's baseline run could be off a little?
Don't these cars usually dyno about 260 hp stock?

http://www.airaid.com/450-172_ford.asp

 

05fordgt, how often do you clean and oil it? (Miles and time wise.)

Seems like I've read about problems the S197 throttle body having with the oil.
I guess when you clean and oil you should probably clean the throttle body anyway.

 

Seeing that leads me to 1 of 2 conclusions. 1, either they used an automatic transmission car (and hence the lower hp output), or 2, they used a Mustang Dyno, and not a Dynojet. Mustang Dynos are always lower than DynoJets.

 

I actually bought a 2nd filter, so I can let the spare dry on its own. I put the new Airaid filter in around 15,000 miles or so. I haven't yet taken the MAF Sensor out to clean that yet. I have the cleaner for it, just haven't done it yet. Maybe tomorrow at the show I am going to. I'll also go and get TB cleaner and will do that before I go to Carlisle for the All-Ford Nationals next Friday.

 

A tune will wake it up, I have been more than happy with the airaid. You can have it tuned with or with out the restrictor pulled, its been said you can lose a little tq when you pull the restrictor. I havnt had any tunes done for the rstrictor installed yet but have thought about it.

 

Hey Mike, I've heard that too. Thing with my numbers, I really don't want to lose the torque number I got so far with my longtubes and Airaid (I'm at 322 rwtq), so the car really pulls, and I like that too much to mess with.

 

I wouldnt want to either, I know I'm not close to 322. I'm gonna have to try a tune with it in. Considering headers as a next mod but still have udp's, cop's and water pump among some suspension parts that have to go on before I can justify spending more money.

 

Wow, I hadn't checked my thread for a couple of days and it really took off. Thanks for the input everyone. I think I now know what I will be getting with my stimulus check

 

Good news Richard. When you get the CAI installed, let us know how the install went and what your MPG is after a few days of driving!

 

That's why CR just bought an 09 Focus. The ultimate girls car with 30MPG and a screaming 2.0L with about 130 at the wheels. You guys are jealous!

 

I've been researching the C&L and Airaid. Haven't found much on MPG except generally speaking increases of 1.5 to 3 or 4 MPG.

Apparently the C&L holds the AF in check some better. The airaid hits 14.1:1 at WOT while C&L stays under/around 13. This is from Doug: http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showth...+airaid&page=2

The airaid seems like a good choise still though if you intend to add headers or more power that will allow keeping the CAI.

Also according to C&L 14:1 isn't considered detrimental and since this is the airaid's peak it may be a non-issue except in a direct comparison.

 

CR, do you have any experience with the AFR of the Airraid without a tune?

After reading some, that 14:1 seems like it might be a bit to lean to be safe. Or is it still safe (since it is stoich) but not optimal? Wouldn't that result in a loss of performance over stock with the engine under WOT?

 

I haven't seen any non-tuned intakes showing less than 13.8 @ WOT. I wouldn't run more than 13.2 if it were my car, personally. I like to keep them all around 12.8-12.9ish anyway. The airaid's that I've tuned have all hit 14's on a stock transfer function, and same with AEM & K&N. The worst of the intakes out there (un-named) are in the area of 17+ AFR's.

No reason not to go custom-tune. Real talk... no advertising neccessary.

 

Even if the airaid runs at 14:1 at WOT, that shouldn't be that big a deal should it, especially if one were to drive 'sanely'; they would not be at WOT very often, if at all. If you were going to race your car, the tune would definately be the better way to go, but for the average daily driver, I would guess the only time you would need to go WOT would be getting on the highway.

I finally saw an Airaid intake in person at a car show the other day; it definately is the best looking intake I have seen.

Out of curiousity, what would be a 'proper' ratio?

 

See CR's post above yours. Factory runs like 12.5 I think. There are conditions that might cause it to run worse. I'd imagine high heat or elevation would make things worse. I hit WOT every morning getting on the interstate for 1st and 2nd gear. And on the return trip. And occasionally pulling out on the highway. Happens quite a bit actually. I'm thinking it is not necessary on a DD but would be safer and then you still get other positives from the tune. As of now I plan to get the airaid, install it and order a tuner.

 

OK, thanks. I was guessing the factory ratio was arount 12.5:1 - 13:1, but I couldn't remember. You are right too, the more I think about it, I probably do go WOT more than I figured. Not as much as I like though; people seem to not know how to drive properly in my area.

 

Here's my K&N after running it for a couple thousand miles with no tune, talk about rich...

I tuned it to lean it out.
BTW stock was about 12.8-12.9 on mine.
I am now 13.2-13.3

 

Where was that reading from both times? Tailpipe sniffer? Do you have cats?

 

I have stock exhaust, all runs done with same dyno & operator.
Tailpipe sniffer.
This is the stock run:

I have seen other people with the same rich condition after running the K&N and no tune for over 1000mi.
Our theory is the computer trying to compensate for lean condition.
What do you think about it?