Steeda CAI
 

Just a start but I like the look.

Good stuff! What kind of tune you running with it?

BAMA 91

Looking good ... we can help with the finish!

Best Regards,

TJ

TJ! I've been running the Steeda CAI with upgraded inlet elbow for over 6 years now and although I like the 90mm velocity stack, I feel that the inlet elbow could've been designed much better, as I am not comfortable with any portion of the intake tube resting directly on top of the upper radiator hose even though only the silicone coupler is making any contact with it... I also don't like having to reuse the stock vacuum reducing tube that secures onto the nipple portion of the inlet tube with clamps with a 2 1/2-inch heater hose... At any rate, I am looking into upgrading to the Airaid CAI as IMHO I feel their intake tube is much higher quality in overall design... Anyway, I would like to get your thoughts/opinions before making the decision to upgrade to Airaid.. Thanks, Rocky

Rocky,

It has been (6) six years and nothing has caused an issue ... why upgrade now?

I took a look at both. Our tube is much larger than the Airaid. We kept it as straight as possible to maximize airflow, (more power) and reduce turbulence around the MAF for better driveability.

Best Regards,

TJ

Actually TJ! The Airaid tube is larger, as it's a 4 1/2 inch rotomolded tube with built in 100mm MAF which does not make any contact with the upper radiator hose at all and also does not require having to reuse the OEM vacuum reducing tube as Airaid includes their own vacuum tube that does not require having to secure it with a 2 1/2 inch heater hose onto the nipple portion of the intake tube.. As I mentioned earlier, these are the 2 main concerns that really bother me which is why I am seriously considering upgrading to the Airaid CAI and although I do agree with you about the Steeda MAF itself not causing any turbulence, however the silicone coupler which attaches between the MAF housing and inlet elbow will cause turbulence as the inside of the coupler is not smooth... At any rate, I also noticed on your website that you carry the Airaid CAI kits for the 2011-14 Mustang GT and V-6 models as well...

I also just spoke with Steeda Gus, and he confirmed the Airaid tube is larger and also includes a velocity stack as well... Anyhow. you more than likely assumed that my Steeda intake is for a 2011 and up model... However, my Mustang is a 2005 GT which has the 90mm CAI!

I have same car so curious to see how you work it out, but I just wanted to point out that you are now modding the mods...:banana:

So what exactly is your point? How about being more specific, as your post doesn't provide any reliable information, let alone point out anything that's considered as worthwhile or knowledgeable for that matter!

I think he was making a joke ...

Steve!

If by any chance, he was just clowning around? I still wasn't able to understand a single word that he posted. Now I can take a joke as much as the next person, but I had no clue where he was coming from in his post whatsoever, let alone able to figure out if he was joking around, being sarcastic or who knows what for that matter :dunno:

I tried the Steeda elbow but it would sit directly on the upper coolant hose on my 07 GT. The coolant hose gets HOT, and would heat up the plastic elbow. I like the stock rubber elbow a lot more, and Shelby used that on its Shelby GT.

I datalogged the intake air temperatures of my Steeda CAI (minus the elbow) and it only rises about 10F degrees when cruising on the highway. When stopped or slowly moving, the IAT rises dramatically to 50F over ambient and higher.

If anything, the Steeda CAI isn't really a cold air intake. It is more of a Short Ram Intake (SRI).

I totally agree as pretty much all the aftermarket intakes aren't really considered as true cold air, unless their pulling in air from outside the engine bay.. The SN-95 and Fox Bodies had actual openings in the fender well which permitted mounting of K&N and other conical filters directly into the fender well itself.. What I don't understand, is why Ford changed the size openings on the current S-197 platform to begin with :dunno:

I was looking at intakes for my 09 Cobalt SS Turbo and the problem with a true cold air intake (one where the conical filter is mounted inside the fender) is water ingestion, and the ease of servicing the filter. The short ram intake (like the intakes for our Mustang) make it easier to inspect the filter, and keeps it somewhat dryer but sacrifices a bit of cold air.

Wouldn't something like a pre filter wrap protect the filter from water ingestion exposure :dunno:

Well, yes the post was aimed at you since you are the one modding the mods (ie: replacing the steeda cia) as I pointed out...secondly, I have the same car and am curious to see how you make out as I am looking at cai/throttle bodys, etc.

I have the K&N Drycharger on my Cobalt's K&N SRI kit, but I got it mainly to reduce the amount of dirt that builds up. It won't make the filter waterproof.

As for the Airaid, I think they only improved their designs for the 2011-up Coyote applications. I'll stick with my Steeda intake setup for now but with the stock rubber hose/elbow, since it was also used in the FRPP Power Pack as well as the Shelby GT.

That's exactly right! I'm replacing the Steeda CAI, in which I clearly stated my reasons in my previous posts on this thread... Personally, I have nothing against the Steeda intake itself, as I ran it for over 6 years and didn't have any performance related issues, but in my personal opinion Steeda could've done a much better job when they designed their plastic inlet elbow and there's also another member on this site who also shares my opinion and has since re-installed his stock rubber inlet tube on his Steeda CAI...

At any rate, my Airaid CAI arrived 4 days ago and everything has been great so far, as the only issue I had with the Airaid is the inlet tube would make contact with the upper radiator hose once it swells up enough after reaching operating temps, but not to the point where it's pressed up against the tube itself nor did it ever rub, it just barely makes slight contact towards the thermostat housing section of the radiator hose once it gets hot enough..

I also spoke with Airaid about this as well and was informed there is nothing to be concerned about, as their intake tubes are heat resistant and constructed from Polyethylene plastic...

In addition, all their CAI kits are covered by a lifetime warranty as well, so no worries... So once again, I am not modding mods as you claimed in your post, I am replacing them...

In the meantime, my Steeda CAI will be up for sale, so if either yourself or anyone else is interested? I'm asking $ 170.00 or best offer for both the CAI and inlet tube...

I can definitely confirm the Airaid tube is much thicker over the Steeda inlet elbow and also fits much better as well... I'm also using their no tune insert for the time being and have since gone back to the original stock calibration programming and will wait until getting my car dyno tuned before removing it, as I'm no longer comfortable in running custom mail order tunes from anybody!