CAI question
#1
FR500 Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Thread Starter
CAI question
I just installed an Airaid CAI that does not require a tune. It's advertised as adding 11hp. I'm skeptical of that claim. Has anyone experienced any hp increase without a tune?
Also, it seems like it's louder now...no complaint there. Is that possible or is it just my imagination? I have GT500 axlebacks and the sound tube was deleted last year.
As always, thanks in advance.
Also, it seems like it's louder now...no complaint there. Is that possible or is it just my imagination? I have GT500 axlebacks and the sound tube was deleted last year.
As always, thanks in advance.
#2
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![Wink](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif)
Can you really feel 11HP?
Probably not.
Your actually rear wheel HP may be even less than that.
When I first put a K&N intake on my 4.6L it was advertised as a 15HP gain.
The dyno showed a solid 4HP at the rear wheels.
Probably not.
Your actually rear wheel HP may be even less than that.
When I first put a K&N intake on my 4.6L it was advertised as a 15HP gain.
The dyno showed a solid 4HP at the rear wheels.
#3
Super Boss Lawman Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Tom, here's my take on it, which may be wrong but there's always a chance.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
#4
FR500 Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Thread Starter
Tom, here's my take on it, which may be wrong but there's always a chance.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
#5
Legacy TMS Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Join Date: January 25, 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,824
Received 1,547 Likes
on
1,060 Posts
But that does NOT mean that there can be no gains with a no-tune-required CAI. There are other sources of restriction, other than the diameter of the tube, that can be reduced with a modified intake. That said, I agree the gains are probably minimal.
For sure you hear more intake noise with an open intake. Part of the reason the factory intake is enclosed is to reduce noise. But some people swear it also makes the exhaust a bit louder; I don't really understand that; maybe they are really hearing intake noise and thinking it is the exhaust.
#6
I Have No Life
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Tom, here's my take on it, which may be wrong but there's always a chance.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
If your CAI doesn't require a new tune then the MAF is probably the same as the stock.
The sound difference could possibly contributed to the open airbox now. I believe that unless you have a cai with a new MAF and some kind of ram air to it, the actual hp difference will be minimal.
Sound yes. Since I slapped on my CFM CAI, not only is the whole system louder, but I can clearly hear my Maggie whine now. Night and day. I love it for the sound gain alone.
#7
THE RED FLASH ------ Master-Moderator
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
When I still had my 05 GT, I started out with the Steeda 90mm CAI along with Doug's/bamachips 93 race tune.. After the car was checked on the dyno, I gained a total of 17 RWHP over stock.. Therefore IMHO, it's the tuning that provide the most power and torque gains and not from the CAI..
Just for the record, I don't care how large the MAF is over stock, as the bottom line is this.. Unless the stock upper intake and heads are also upgraded, the OEM units are only capable of taking in the amount of airflow for which they were originally designed from the factory..
So what good is really adding a huge MAF tube if the stock heads/intake aren't able to take advantage of the additional airflow to begin with, as It would be just like trying to suck a large volume of air through a straw lol.
With that being said.. Unless you also plan on upgrading to higher flowing heads/upper intake, adding a large diameter CAI on a stock 3v-4v motor is pretty much nothing more than just overkill and useless as far as I'm concerned
Just for the record, I don't care how large the MAF is over stock, as the bottom line is this.. Unless the stock upper intake and heads are also upgraded, the OEM units are only capable of taking in the amount of airflow for which they were originally designed from the factory..
So what good is really adding a huge MAF tube if the stock heads/intake aren't able to take advantage of the additional airflow to begin with, as It would be just like trying to suck a large volume of air through a straw lol.
With that being said.. Unless you also plan on upgrading to higher flowing heads/upper intake, adding a large diameter CAI on a stock 3v-4v motor is pretty much nothing more than just overkill and useless as far as I'm concerned
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 3/15/16 at 04:19 PM.
#8
Doubtful there is anything to add without a tune... The tune re-scales the MAF transfer function to account for a larger diameter intake tube.
There is added intake tract noise because the flow path is straighter, and the factory tube has what is called Helmholtz isolators (those funky looking boxes molded onto the tube) that cancel certain harmonics/sound.
There is added intake tract noise because the flow path is straighter, and the factory tube has what is called Helmholtz isolators (those funky looking boxes molded onto the tube) that cancel certain harmonics/sound.
Last edited by MKMotorsport; 3/15/16 at 07:12 PM.
#9
Just for the record, I don't care how large the MAF is over stock, as the bottom line is this.. Unless the stock upper intake and heads are also upgraded, the OEM units are only capable of taking in the amount of airflow for which they were originally designed from the factory..
So what good is really adding a huge MAF tube if the stock heads/intake aren't able to take advantage of the additional airflow to begin with, as It would be just like trying to suck a large volume of air through a straw lol.
:
So what good is really adding a huge MAF tube if the stock heads/intake aren't able to take advantage of the additional airflow to begin with, as It would be just like trying to suck a large volume of air through a straw lol.
:
![Lol](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif)
#10
THE RED FLASH ------ Master-Moderator
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Just as I mentioned earlier, the stock heads are not high flowing when it comes to intake airflow and by adding a huge CAI tube isn't going to increase the volume of airflow for which the stock 3 valve's intake ports are capable of taking in..
Therefore unless you also intend on upgrading to high flow heads and upper intake, anything above 90mm MAF is considered overkill on a stock 3 valve engine..
As for drama is concerned.. I suppose that according to your expertise, the engineers over at Steeda are also wrong, right ? And while we're at it, let's also throw in Doug who was the founder of Bamachips and Lee Bender founder of C&L performance for providing me with inaccurate info as well
![Screwy](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/screwy.gif)
Not entirely accurate, as the tune also re-maps the air/fuel and spark/timing tables!
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 3/16/16 at 04:23 AM.
#11
It's simple physics and not some huge generalization as you claim.. Why do you think the engineers over at Ford designed the stock MAF size at 79.5mm for the 4.6 3 valve in the first place ? Because of the stock 3 valve's intake ports, that's why..
Just as I mentioned earlier, the stock heads are not high flowing when it comes to intake airflow and by adding a huge CAI tube isn't going to increase the volume of airflow for which the stock 3 valve's intake ports are capable of taking in..
Therefore unless you also intend on upgrading to high flow heads and upper intake, anything above 90mm MAF is considered overkill on a stock 3 valve engine..
As for drama is concerned.. I suppose that according to your expertise, the engineers over at Steeda are also wrong, right ? And while we're at it, let's also throw in Doug who was the founder of Bamachips and Lee Bender founder of C&L performance for providing me with inaccurate info as well![Screwy](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/screwy.gif)
Not entirely accurate, as the tune also re-maps the air/fuel and spark/timing tables!
Just as I mentioned earlier, the stock heads are not high flowing when it comes to intake airflow and by adding a huge CAI tube isn't going to increase the volume of airflow for which the stock 3 valve's intake ports are capable of taking in..
Therefore unless you also intend on upgrading to high flow heads and upper intake, anything above 90mm MAF is considered overkill on a stock 3 valve engine..
As for drama is concerned.. I suppose that according to your expertise, the engineers over at Steeda are also wrong, right ? And while we're at it, let's also throw in Doug who was the founder of Bamachips and Lee Bender founder of C&L performance for providing me with inaccurate info as well
![Screwy](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/screwy.gif)
Not entirely accurate, as the tune also re-maps the air/fuel and spark/timing tables!
Seems as if you don't even own one of these newer cars? This is not an '05 3 valve or old school 4 valve, not even remotely similar.
Re-scaling the transfer on the Copperhead ECU also indirectly adjusts fueling, as there is no base fuel to adjust on the 11+ cars. There is little to adjust timing wise as you aren't creating a increase in cylinder pressure (a drastic one anyway...). The knock sensors on these cars work good, and when setup correctly in the tune, can dynamically add or subtract a few degrees of timing on the fly- did you even know that? Plenty of tuners (I've seen and read their files, I tune myself...) don't even touch the timing curve for a simple CAI, for a lot of tuners there is more harm than good to do. Where do you get your knowledge from? I get you have a HUGE post count and maybe you're are a well thought of member on here and a great guy, etc... But your knowledge on the 11+ cars is WAY off, and you should probably stop giving technical advice about them since it is pretty misguided....
I'd keep going, but obviously would be wasting my breath. You have the high post count, so obviously you are a resident expert around here....Keep repeating and restating misinformation, and that will make it more true....
<I give up>
![Confused18](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/confused18.gif)
Last edited by MKMotorsport; 3/16/16 at 08:59 AM.
#13
Legacy TMS Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Join Date: January 25, 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,824
Received 1,547 Likes
on
1,060 Posts
The pressure differential that makes the air flow in to the cylinder is the pressure at the outside of the ports, less the pressure inside the cylinder. During the intake stroke, you have near zero pressure inside the cylinder. If you can increase the pressure reaching the outside of the heads, you increase the pressure differential, and more air will go through the ports into the cylinders.
The pressure reaching the outside of the heads, is atmospheric pressure less the pressure drop through the intake. So, if you can reduce the pressure drop through the intake, you can increase the pressure reaching the heads, and push more air/fuel mix through those holes, without making the holes bigger.
That's the point of changing the intake . . . to reduce the pressure drop . . . and there are many things that contribute to that; the diameter of the tube and the size of the filter being two of them. So yes it is physically possible to get more air through the intake ports by changing the intake design.
That said, whether and how much the aftermarket intakes actually do that, is a different debate.
Last edited by Bert; 3/16/16 at 12:41 PM.
#14
FR500 Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Thread Starter
#15
Legacy TMS Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Join Date: January 25, 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,824
Received 1,547 Likes
on
1,060 Posts
LOL . .. and the short answers are
Yes (but probably not as much as you can with a tune)
and
Yes (but it's probably mostly coming from the intake, not the exhaust)
Yes (but probably not as much as you can with a tune)
and
Yes (but it's probably mostly coming from the intake, not the exhaust)
#16
THE RED FLASH ------ Master-Moderator
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Re-scaling the transfer on the Copperhead ECU also indirectly adjusts fueling, as there is no base fuel to adjust on the 11+ cars. There is little to adjust timing wise as you aren't creating a increase in cylinder pressure (a drastic one anyway...). The knock sensors on these cars work good, and when setup correctly in the tune, can dynamically add or subtract a few degrees of timing on the fly- did you even know that?
Therefore I stand corrected for not mentioning that in my previous post..
So once again, my post count has nothing to do with it, as I'm just a classic car enthusiast who happens to enjoy sharing his passion with others who also share the very same passion towards classic cars and nothing more..
With that being said.. I've revealed to you 3 times in this post that I was in the wrong..
So once again, I take full responsibility by admitting my mistakes for posting inaccurate info in my previous response to your post in which you were spot on from the start..
And just for the record, I also stand corrected that my technical knowledge for the 11+ cars is way off and will therefore stop giving tech advice..
As the last thing I'd ever want to do, is provide folks with inaccurate/misguided info..
So in the end, you can choose to either accept my apology or reject it.. It's your choice !
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 3/17/16 at 12:53 PM.
#17
THE RED FLASH ------ Master-Moderator
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
The basis physics is that all fluid flow is driven by pressure differentials. The bigger the pressure differential, the more fluid will flow through any given hole (per unit time).
The pressure differential that makes the air flow in to the cylinder is the pressure at the outside of the ports, less the pressure inside the cylinder. During the intake stroke, you have near zero pressure inside the cylinder. If you can increase the pressure reaching the outside of the heads, you increase the pressure differential, and more air will go through the ports into the cylinders.
The pressure reaching the outside of the heads, is atmospheric pressure less the pressure drop through the intake. So, if you can reduce the pressure drop through the intake, you can increase the pressure reaching the heads, and push more air/fuel mix through those holes, without making the holes bigger.
That's the point of changing the intake . . . to reduce the pressure drop . . . and there are many things that contribute to that; the diameter of the tube and the size of the filter being two of them. So yes it is physically possible to get more air through the intake ports by changing the intake design.
That said, whether and how much the aftermarket intakes actually do that, is a different debate.
The pressure differential that makes the air flow in to the cylinder is the pressure at the outside of the ports, less the pressure inside the cylinder. During the intake stroke, you have near zero pressure inside the cylinder. If you can increase the pressure reaching the outside of the heads, you increase the pressure differential, and more air will go through the ports into the cylinders.
The pressure reaching the outside of the heads, is atmospheric pressure less the pressure drop through the intake. So, if you can reduce the pressure drop through the intake, you can increase the pressure reaching the heads, and push more air/fuel mix through those holes, without making the holes bigger.
That's the point of changing the intake . . . to reduce the pressure drop . . . and there are many things that contribute to that; the diameter of the tube and the size of the filter being two of them. So yes it is physically possible to get more air through the intake ports by changing the intake design.
That said, whether and how much the aftermarket intakes actually do that, is a different debate.
-Rocky
![Cheers](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif)
#18
Legacy TMS Member
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
Join Date: January 25, 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,824
Received 1,547 Likes
on
1,060 Posts
You're welcome . . . . and now I stand waiting to be corrected, LOL!
![Rollinglaugh](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/rollinglaugh.gif)
![Fear](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/fear.gif)
#19
THE RED FLASH ------ Master-Moderator
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
![](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/rank.gif)
#20
Also let's not forget these cars have Variable Cam Timing for both the Intake Valve Opening and Exhaust Valve Closing. Stock these cars have their IVO and EVC timing set for maximum efficiency, not optimized power.
Increasing the Intake allows different VCT timing events to build more pressure and therefore utilize that larger airflow.
Increasing the Intake allows different VCT timing events to build more pressure and therefore utilize that larger airflow.