So I'm looking at different CAI's and it occurs to me that some are really well thought out and some could use improvement and some are just revenue generating parts for companies and wouldn't do much more than be something to look at and suck hot air...

So I've done some research, and asked friends familiar with racing, engineering as well as composites and plastics. I've narrowed it down to JLT, Steeda, and Airaid. I've had Airaid parts in the past and was satisfied. Looking at what Ford gave us to start with I'm pretty impressed, I'm a car guy so we could always do better... This more than likely is going to be a mod that coincides with changing out my grille as well. I say this because my factory driving lights (drivers side specifically ) are right in front of the "Cold air induction" scoop that fits to the factory air box.

So where are the gains coming from? The smoother tube? The shorter path? An open element? And I want REAL gains, not marketing hype... I can read that all day on my own.

I've already done a K&N drop in on the car, this along with opening the grille should help considerably. Speaking to my engineer friends and racing buddies I've found I could also purchase some gold Mylar wrap from DEI and wrap the tube with that to block radiant heat. But that's just getting crazy... Or is it?

So, what REALISTIC. Gains are you folks seeing out of your respective CAI's?

Thanks,

James

 

Are you talking about just CAIs w/ no tune? In that case I don't think there's much if any at all on these cars

 

Riffing on Stang I would suggest just getting a tune, that's where most of the gains come from anyway.

 

That's pretty much what I expected. Thanks guys! It would probably show more if I did it in steps and most of the tuners seem to offer tuners of life so I could go back and get the tune for whatever CAI I install.

Thanks guys.

 

We have racers, engineers, and manufacturing specialists that helped provide the information for this article ...

http://www.steeda.com/blog/2012/03/m...-intake-truth/

The tune will really wake up the car ...

 

SVT forum did a test on the Airaid with no tune and gained 9rwhp.

 

Thanks TJ! You guys and Airaid having the ducting from the factory air induction drew me to your setups, along with the integration of the complete heat shield.

Really complete and thorough article, but do think there's anything to be gained by wrapping your velocity stack and the outside (nearest the engine) in a gold Mylar type material? Or is this overkill for a daily driver occasional track car?

Thanks again guys, I'm eyeballing you for my control arm setup as well.

 

yes it's overkill, but plenty of race cars do it. I guess if your in a professional endurance race and your car does not drop a tenth of second per lap at the 2 hour mark due to excessive heat soak, well then it's worth it. It will never show up on a Dyno however, or on a track day car.

The Ford intake system is fantastic, absolutely the best that has ever come from the factory. It will actually keep air charge temps slightly cooler under some conditions than an aftermarket cold air. Where the aftermarket cold air shines is in airflow to support higher horsepower. 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.

Hope that helps too.

Best Regards,

TJ

 

The steeda intake and tune is still something I have to get.

Any gains to be had with just the steeda intake alone with no tune?

 

Don't think you can use it without a tune

 

For looks? If anything, it'll probably make my intake temps go up lol

 

No I mean, the intake requires a tune, the ones that don't have inserts to slim the intake pipe, which can be taken out whenever you get a tune.

 

This Cold Air Intake is so effective at improving airflow into the five-liter engine that a performance tune is required for maximum performance!

Best Regards,

TJ

 

Awesome! Thanks TJ! Good to know!

 

so exactly how many horsepower does your intake add versus a car already running a 93 octane tune?

 

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.

You can see a combined total of 45 HP (subract the 9-12) for the 11-12. Ford raised the base HP number in '13 to 420. Because of that, he will only get about 30 with our Steeda Custom Tune and CAI.

Best Regards,

TJ

 

IF I run a CAI I run either JLT, always have and always have good results. The CAI for N/A do gain a few HP however, most is from the tune itself. We offer some pretty good packages CAI, VMP tune and SCT tuner. We also do many other packages with exhaust, CAI tuner and tune as well to meet the preferences of our customers. Let us know if we can help you out.

 

A lot will depend on the car the engine and the mix of performance mods.
I added a JLT CIA and an SCT tune and estimated 50 to 60 hp gain. I added an 85MM throttle body and estimated about 20 HP. I added Ford racing x-pipes and exhaust but did not add hp gain because it would be minimal. So I estimated my engine at about 480 HP. I did a dyno run and produced 416 at the wheels. take that plus 15% for drive train loss and it put me at 478.
you may see more or less depending on how things interact with different brands and such. The real benift of these mods was torque. torque is what makes it responsive and more fun.