I'm thinking of changing the cold air intake as my first engine mod. Fairly cheap, will add a few hp and may even help mpg. Which brand should I go with?

 

If you want maximum air volume, go with Steeda.

For any CAI worth putting on, you're going to need a tune to prevent the engine from running too lean which could cause serious damage.

 

Just get a tune. It's a better use of your money.

 

But the exhaust sounds sooo much better with the CAI :-)

 

Waste of money unless you tune. The factory intake is extremely good and some dyno tests have even shown aftermarket intakes resulting in less power. Put that money towards exhaust and enjoy that sound far more than louder intake roar.

 

Mind backing that up with a source because I'm thinking BS.

 

I like JTL with the tune of course. It will provide for future mods and give some extra HP. The OEM intake is good but not as good as the JTL.

 

On the dyno we typically see 9 to 12 horsepower over the stock airbox, mostly above 4,000rpm. A drop in filter is not going to give you any real measureable horsepower.

Let me know if I can help you with one ... you can email me at tim@steeda.com & we are also offering forum discounts ... it's a win / win situation.

Also ... you can read about our CAI here - http://www.steeda.com/blog/2012/03/m...-intake-truth/

You will not be disappointed with a Steeda CAI & tune.

Best Regards,

TJ

 

Sorry, was remembering the drop-in filter results like TJ said below. That said, 9-12 horsepower for that much money seems like a waste to me too, which is why you still really need a tune if you're going down that road, IMO.

 

CAIs are fine as long as you realize that while they look great and sound great, they probably result in very little or no gain in HP. So far I have not found any INDEPENDENT tests (not done by the CAI manufacturer or someone who sells them) that confirm that any of them result in any HP gain on a 5.0 Coyote. Even the non-independent tests I have seen always do the dyno test with the hood open and a fan blowing on the engine compartment. That's not the "real world" conditions that these CAI have to operate in.

 

You know what, from all that I have read on the web this seems to pretty much be the consensus everywhere. I guess it's only a factor if you are really pushing the engine (dyno, dragging).

 

I blew a bunch o' money on bolt ons and tune for my last car ('12 Civic Si) and all I got was a loud car that was maybe marginally faster. I know it's a different (and crappier) car but I see on this site just like I did on the Honda forums that people way over estimate what they are going to get out of bolt-ons (even with a tune).

 

To be fair guys, this is a thread asking which CAI is better. Not whether you think it's a good upgrade or not.

 

Like a supercharger? That's a bolt on... Also, you can get some nice throttle response/gains from a good tune alone on a GT.

 

In response to the OP's question, I went with the Airaid. It's right at the top of the list with Steeda and JLT but no tune necessary with the insert installed. I was not ready to void my engine warranty with a tune but wanted the look under the hood and it deepened the exhaust tone which was one of my goals. It's your car, do your own research and meet your own goals and don't put too much stock in other peoples opinions as their goals might not be in line with yours. My .02 cents....Happy modding!

 

K&N claims 20 horses out of their intake...without a tune. If that's really true, I'm surprised more guys don't go with them, being a great name and all and claiming more HP than anyone else too: http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?prod=63-2578

tj@steeda, any opinions on the K&N versus your own?

 

Lol you know what I meant. And yeah, a supercharger is exactly what I wished I'd just paid for in the first place. But in the end, since I DD my car, I'm too paranoid...

 

I think the K&N cai's are a little expensive and no better than the others. I just picked up a BBK cai for 228 brand new from auto anything with free shipping.

 

Ok thanks for all the help! So what I got out of this thread is that if I change the CAI then I would need a tune, in which case I will be voiding my warranty. This doesn't make sense for me given the fact that I purchased extended warranty.

Is a tune an MUST? what will happen if I install the CAI without tuning the engine? I don't mind minimal HP gain. If it will help sound my Mustang a little better, I'm satisfied.

 

If you purchased an extended powertrain warranty, I wouldn't be tinkering with your engine then. This is why I didn't buy any extended warranties - I don't plan on leaving the powertrain stock for 5 years