Alright guys, I'm looking for a little insight. My 2012 GT is completely stock right now. I'm looking to start modding as soon as I can afford each part. I'm thinking of starting with the CAI instead of the exhaust just because of pricing. What in ya'll opinion is the best CAI available in terms of HP/TQ gains and sound. Doesn't matter if it requires a tune or not because I plan on getting a Bama tuner before I install any parts. Thanks.

 

Go for the steeda intake if your tuning, also you might be suprised, the best sounding axle back(gt500) cost less than that intake

 

Thanks. For the exhaust I was thinking about a cat back system since eventually I'll be adding a supercharger.

 

Oh gotcha, yeah their way pricey.

I went with the boss H, resonator delete, and GT 500 axle backs for the time being, too scared to tune

 

I am also not doing any tuning. Not for a while at least. But a good cat back is worthwhile if you are doing forced induction. Not sure about the intake with no tune I think most gains are seen as a result of tuning

 

Steeda has the combo kit on americanmuscle.com for the CAI and the Bama flash tuner for $700, so that's probably what I'll go with. One thing I've noticed throughout all the videos I've watched, is that no matter the mod, they ALWAYS do a tune before showing the synonym results. So I'm sure the max gains come from the tunes.

 

Yep.

 

Great idea, I would definitely recommend starting with a CAI and Bama custom tune. This is always the first mod I suggest, when entering the modification game with your Mustang!

Any of the top Brand Cold Air Intake's will definitely do the trick for you. SR Performance, JLT Performance, Airaid etc... These two mods on a 2011+ GT are huge, I picked up about 30+ RWHP and 25 + TWTQ just from these mods! Like you said, a lot of it is within the tune but a CAI definitely helps with power, torque and a nice engine rumble.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions or need some assistance in the near future. Our Bama Performance tuning specialists are here in the building Monday-Friday from 9AM-5:30PM EST and Saturday 9AM-5:30PM EST. You can hit them up directly at 888.226.9764 and they'll get you squared away!

-Dan

 

Smokin 5.0,

The Steeda CAI is a great American Made piece that is made of the highest quality. Our CAI's are designed, engineered, and manufactured under strict ISO 9001-2008 standards. We sell many of these units and we feel it is the best on the market.

Here is our CAI on a consumer's car ... the look and fit are 2nd to none.



Steeda is a brand that you can trust with your investment.

Best Regards,

TJ

 

I have a 2012 GT 5.0 auto. my first mod was airaid cai and bama tune sct tuner.

stock the car was fun but with the cai and tune way more fun. this thing will flat get it now. roll around the corner, hammer it, and shes fishtailing all the way down the block. great fun.

I ran the street tune at first and it really cleaned up and tighten the throttle response and set the shift points more aggressive. really a good feel.

now im running the performance tune, I like it but its a little twitchy sometimes in daily driving but it sure makes the 5.0 motor a beast.

I haven't used the race tune yet, been to the dragstrip once and only got 3 runs. stock tune(with baffle installed) was 13.86, street tune was 13.55, and performance tune was 13.26 all with the airaid cai.

now take into consideration my area, west texas high desert, air density was like 6380, and temp was like 94* at 8pm. not bad for a stock car with $700 mods and 285# driver. I did a corrected et equation at it was 12.43 at sea level. I think now with a little more practice driving and some better technic I think I can break into the 12s even at my crappy elevation.

about 2 weeks ago I picked up a set of dynomax ultraflo axlebacks, got them on the car now. it may have help with power a bit but not like the tuner and cai did. tho it does sound awesome now.

in the next month or so im going for a gear change, thinking 3.55 because I do drive this car daily. I just want it to hit the power band a little sooner of the line.


I would say get a tuner and cai first, you wont regret it. and you can always set it back to stock.

I went with the airaid kit because the have a baffle you install in the intake tube that allows you to run the stock tune but if you buy the kit with the tuner you gotta ask for the baffle.

 

That's what I wanted to hear from an Airaid/Bama user. I recently installed the Airaid CAI (with MVT) until I could get around to a Bama tune. Right now, I'm involved in exterior appearance mods, but a tune and ridding my girl of this junky stock shifter are next on my list. I look forward to running tuned.

 

First thing I will change is the shifter.No HP gains but more fun to drive , why cant ford make a good shifter for there mustangs?I have had 3 mustangs and all the MT shifters where awful. For mufflers I like fords cheaper GT-500 axle back ,good price and nice sound!Car should come like that in the first place.When I modd I try to think ahead so my modds work together. for instance if you pull or push more air into the motor the you need to get it out. Best modds I have made on my old cars include changing axle gears (3.73-4.10) , underdrive pullys . If you look at pack. deals you will see that the parts they put together all work together. What am I going to do . Save for a supercharger kit and put some cash away to replaced rear tires I have smoked .

p.s. Lighter is better-free HP

 

I like this strategy

 

I always go handling mods first then power comes next. But right now my Mustang is staying stock for a while until I get better in autocross and road course track.

Try my way, handling mods you can use all the time, power mods you can use when needed only. Unless you live in middle east to where you have open roads everywhere, then you can use power all the time but you would still need the handling mods to properly enjoy it.

 

I agree on the handling mods. It's by far the GTs weakest link. In second is axle back exhaust to upgrade that sad stock exhaust note.

 

You could always do this to the suspension


Best Regards,

TJ

 

are you expecting to have way more power than a GT500? It has the same exhaust diameter as the GT and 242 more horsepower. The stock catback is more than enough flow.

 

I was unaware of this - and I bet others are too. Thanks for the info. I'd considered a catback as well - so you just saved me some money that I can use for other mods.

 

thanks for the info - TheDivaDanielle. I removed it from my wishlist.

 

well when I see people boast about catbacks I'm always like "why?"

like when I had a GTO the catbacks were the same diameter as stock, and utilized usually an X instead of the factory H and didn't have resonators.

same exact thing here. X instead of an X and no intermediate pipe resonators. In both cases I removed my own resonators and basically had the same exact sound as the catback for hundreds less. I prefer the sound of an H-Pipe so in the Mustang I have left the H-pipe there.

so what's the difference between a borla catback and my exhaust now? mine has an H. theirs an X. If I wanted to change to an X, I'd still be way cheaper than the catback for no difference