Next week, I'm scheduled to get a custom dyno tune(93 octane). My question is, should I bother with a CAI or not? I've read through a few threads about their usefulness(or lack there of...). I've had an Airaid(no tune required) CAI in the past, but returned it to stock after 4k miles of use.

My signature below has most of the important modifications done to my car. As you can see, the engine is pretty much stock... No Boss 302 intake manifold... No throttle body change.

 

The stock airbox flows pretty good. I would stick with it.

 

Thanks. As the appointment date was getting closer, I started second-guessing myself.

 

This. Enough said.

 

Only reason I bought the JLT was I got it for a steal and could not pass it up.

 

Thanks. Greatly appreciated.

I hear that. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting or having them. I had one for a bit, too.

 

Im under a bit different mindset than the rest...
I say if your gonna custom tune it, you might as well get the CAI. Otherwise when you finally decide to get one you will have to pay to retune it.

Do it right the first time!

 

This^. Steeda's CAI & 93 tune is second to none. Yes, it makes a difference.

 

I hear what you are saying... and I thought about that, too. The thing is that after what took place during a little environmental incident(Hurricane Sandy), causing gas shortages and 87 octane as the only option, I would have been in a pickle if I had a tune-required CAI and a 93 Octane tune. I would have had to be prepared with an 87 Octane tune for that scenario. With the stock air box, I could have just gone back to the stock calibration for a while. I'm not too concerned about routine service visits at a Ford shop, but what do you do if they need to flash your computer?

I agree. Steeda's CAI looks like it wards off engine heat better than the others...

 

I'd go ahead and get the CAI. Your getting a custom tune to get every bit of power you can get right? Add some more

 

Depends on your tuner.

Most repituble tuners won't charge you for upgrades as long as they are just bolt ons and not going to FI.

 

I think getting a custom dyno tune may be a little different. I would think most would charge for re-tune due to having to set it back up on the rollers... I could be wrong, though.

 

You are probably correct as I was thinking mail order tune.

 

Do you still have the air raid? If you already have it then I would put it on for the tune. If you are talking about buying another one, then I would stick with the stock air box.

 

Do not have it any longer... built very well... thought that it looked a little OEM-like under the hood. Felt like it did something in certain areas within the RPM's in no-tune form, but throttle response when pulling off from a dead stop or lower in the RPM range was off compared to the stock airbox. I also thought it didn't provide a sufficient enough seal to the hood to keep out more engine bay heat... just my opinion. Steeda's CAI appears to do a better job in that regards.

 

Then I say stay with the factory one. Use that $300+ else where

 

Thanks guys for your help... at the shop getting the dyno tune done as I type. Going with a 93 Octane tune. Using SCT's Livewire TS(can hold up to 10 tune files) for the task. I'll post later on the outcome.