TORMENTOR

I am in the market for a cold air intake and tuner for my car and I am just curious if anyone has done a test on what gains can be seen with just the tuner alone.
I have heard these cars do not benefit from the cold air intake.
I am steering towards the Steeda Intake if I did buy the combo just for the looks. I am not looking to start a war, I am just looking for facts with numbers backing the claims up.
I would rather spend $379 for an SCT Tuner alone instead of $729 for a combo kit that doesnt get anything out of the CAI! I could use the money I saved on the Boss exhaust I want instead.
Anybody want to chime in on this one?

SterlingStangMan

Check the American Muscle website. I bought the Airaid CAI for my '11 V6 and the difference on the dyno (no tune) was 13 hp. Not sure I believe that but, I can tell you the difference is more than noticable, especially the sound and throttle response. Interesting to note Roush has rebadged the Airaid CAI as it's own for about $100 more. I think their videos also show with and without tunes. I am avoiding tunes since I have the maintenance and extended warranty.

SteedaBrandon

I believe we have done so, gains were pretty much split between the two.

Let me know if I can help you with that. We do have a forum discount afterall.

AMDanBailer

Tormentor,

Great choice! The 12 GT really wakes up with CAI & Tune. We have had great results from all of our intakes, however we made peak power with either the Steeda, Airaid, or JLT installed. With that set up most people are gaining around 30+ RWHP! The Steeda CAI is a really nice product and I think you'll be happy with the fit/finish and performance, especially with some Bama tunes!

2011-2013 Mustang GT Cold Air Intake and Tuner Packages at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

This is just a recommendation! I think that no matter what kit you go with, you will be very satisfied.

So hell yes Cold Air Intakes do a lot for a 12 GT !

I hope this helps! Hit me up if you have any questions.

- Dan

Tapakegovagnaps

I sent tj a pm a few days ago asking what the discount is an how to receive it.....can you pm me the info? Thanks I have your CAI waiting at home.....came today, just need a tuner now!

SteedaBrandon

Yes, I will send you a PM.

Pete07GT

Awh sweet hey-soos, isn't there more than a gajillion threads on this already? There isn't a true "cold-air" intake manufactured on major sites like AM but are actually "ram-air", you do realize this I hope? IMO, find actual Dyno and mpg testing that's been done by an INDEPENDENT outfit to backup the proclamation of a website or company that it's an effective "power adder". Until then, study the reason why the Roush S/C hooks to a factory "air box" and not a ram or cold air intake. Could there be a reason behind that? :strange:

MRGTX

From what I have gathered, the majority of the gains come from the tune...and hell yes, boy would I love to see some independent testing to prove or disprove that.

The cost of a CAI is quite high for a tube and a filter...if it doesnt justify the price, it would be a real shame.

BTW, most people will want to feel like the $300 they dropped on these parts was worth it and in many cases we're good at convincing ourselves of what we want to believe. Anecdotal evidence from suckers (pun intended) aren't really helpful. We need dyno numbers with sincere effort to tune/maximize performance with and without the CAI.

AMChrisRose

Most of the aftermarket Cold Air Intakes on the market for the 5.0L re-use the factory cool air ducting, which is fine. There are 11+ 5.0L's putting down over 700HP without having to worry about plumbing cold air up from anywhere except the pre-existing location.

The diameter of the tube, the material that the tube is made out of and the size of the filter are more what I would worry about. The IAT difference between putting a filter in the fenderwell and in the engine compartment isn't going to make a bit of difference until you're putting down huge numbers that are temperamental depending on IAT/ECT/etc. The heat shield that comes with most aftermarket intakes will do a good job of blocking any radiant heat coming from elsewhere under the hood.

The Steeda system is great, and when you pair it up with a good custom tune (required), you'll notice good peak power/torque gains and monster gains throughout the curve.

The Roush supercharger kits are reusing the stock intake location so that they can be dealer installed and stay compliant with emissions, etc. The stock airbox isn't so restrictive that it NEEDS to be changed out, in that scenario. However, adding an air kit to a blown 5.0L will net more PSI, and more power.

Chris

stupidgenius36

There is no debate. This thread is a waste of time. Moving on...

PJRManagement

---
Pete (great name BTW!) - The Roush S/C needs to fit the factory CAI, so they can claim perfect OEM fit. Can you explain the Ford OEM CAI on the GT500s from 2010 and forward? It's simple, it does allow more airflow at higher RPMs. I have a Roush CAI ($200) on my 2011 GT - no tune (I don't want to void my powertrain warranty and my extended service plan). I notice improved throttle response (and sound) above 3000-4000 RPM and higher. Great for the track. For daily use, just a visual nicety in the engine bay for car shows. Oh, don't forget the lifetime filter with good aftermarket CAIs, which pays for itself after 3-4 OEM filters.

TommyV

With a hand held tuner, if you change it back to stock, can the dealer detect if there was ever a tune? ( I'm assuming yes)

Planeswalker

You assume correctly.

RedCandy5.0

Not so much the gain on the dyno but at the track. Many have tested stock box vs CAI and found no or little gain at the track. The most see a .01 at the track. You have to see if it is worth it to you.

TORMENTOR

If its such a waste of time then why did you take a detour and make a comment. Apearantly you have questions about it also or you wouldnt have clicked on the header.

TORMENTOR

[QUOTE=MRGTX;6380647]From what I have gathered, the majority of the gains come from the tune...and hell yes, boy would I love to see some independent testing to prove or disprove that.

The cost of a CAI is quite high for a tube and a filter...if it doesnt justify the price, it would be a real shame.

BTW, most people will want to feel like the $300 they dropped on these parts was worth it and in many cases we're good at convincing ourselves of what we want to believe. Anecdotal evidence from suckers (pun intended) aren't really helpful. We need dyno numbers with sincere effort to tune/maximize performance with and without the CAI.[/QUOT

I agree 100%

Mustang Mafia

I think People have gotten off base a little. The op's question is this: For example, if he has a Steeda 93 tune with steeda cai, will the car put down the same numbers if he runs the same tune with the stock air box? Heck, I wonder too.

TORMENTOR

Exactly

RedCandy5.0

You will gain on the dyno 10-15rwhp. The thing is they are running this with the hood open and high velocity fans. The true test is at the track were it has been proven no gain to minimal gain over stock box.

TORMENTOR

pm sent