rm2092

Just bought my second 5.0 Mustang, 2016 and this time I'm sticking with the factory air box since it is a true CAI but I was thinking of just replacing the factory tube with this ? http://www.airaid.com/search/product.aspx?prod=450-932

Thoughts and opinions please....

dgc333

Can't see how just the tube would do anything, most of what a CAI is about is the sound and the tube won't even impact that.

I would just get a drop in filter from K&K or Green and save some money, at least they have been proven to flow more air.

TripleBlack14

I have an extra Airaid tube only from my 2014 GT for use with the stock air box. I used it for cosmetic purposes only but recently installed the CAI which comes with a longer tube.

It doesn't look like the '15 tube only is configured the same as the '14 though.

The tube itself will do nothing other than to make the engine bay a little neater. The factory tube is cheap looking. Here's the Airaid tube with a Ford logo:

Jazzman442

Nice engine bay!! Did you paint the cover?

TripleBlack14

Thanks....compliment much appreciated. I got the coil covers via someone on Facebook. The engine cover came from Bangastang, but they don't do them anymore. Both the FB guy and Bangastang provided the parts. They've been smoothed, painted, clear coated and polished.

Here's what it looks like now with the CAI:

m05fastbackGT

I totally agree with this ^^^^^ IMHO you would be far better off with a drop in filter.. As a matter of fact, I'm running the Airaid synthamax drop in filter with my Saleen airbox and couldn't be happier.. What I like most about this Airaid filter, is it doesn't require re-oiling.. You just simply wash it with a mild detergent, let dry and you're good to go

Mr. V

I use the AEM drop in. It also doesn't use oil. In my Audi A4, I went through several mass air flow sensors that were damaged by the oil in my K&N filter. I have been weary of oiled filters ever since.

m05fastbackGT

AEM are also very excellent quality filters as well, as I did consider their dry panel filters but chose to stick with Airaid instead..

I also decided to make the switch from traditional oiled filters to non-oiled, as like yourself, I was also concerned with the MAF sensor being contaminated by filter oil

Mrbobcat

I was looking at this awhile back and thought I read somewhere that this tube was good for about 10hp or so.

m05fastbackGT

I don't buy into that for a moment.. As most your HP and Torque gains come from the re-calibration tune and not from the CAI.. IMO a CAI may provide up to an additional 10 HP with both the conical air filter and intake tube, but not with just the tube by itself..
Just saying

TripleBlack14

Agreed. I ran the 'tube only' for over a year and all it did was tidy up the bay. No gain was realized, nor was any expected. In fact, I now have the Airaid CAI without a tune (warranty paranoia) and if there is a HP gain it's negligible at best. But it sure sounds and looks purty.

m05fastbackGT

Before upgrading to my current 06 GT.. My previous 05 GT was pretty much bone stock until adding my first mods that included the Steeda 90mm CAI with a canned SCT programmer.. Shortly afterwards I upgraded to Bamachips 93 octane race tunes when Doug was still the owner.. After he sold to American Muscle, the Bama tunes just weren't the same anymore and decided that I wanted to look into getting a CAI that didn't require tuning.. So after doing extensive research, I chose the Airaid CAI due to the excellent OEM fit and finish quality and also because Airaid backs their products with a full no hassle, lifetime warranty as well..

Although I didn't notice any real HP gains, my throttle response was definitely much improved over the stock airbox and I also noticed a deeper exhaust tone as well..
As for the non-tune insert was concerned, it functioned flawlessly as I never experienced any check engine lights nor ran into any problems with my air/fuel running too lean..

After upgrading to my current 06 GT, I had to end up selling the Airaid CAI as it would not fit on a Saleen supercharger due to the re-positioning of the alternator..

Since then, I've been running the OEM Saleen airbox with Brenspeed's 91 octane tune which includes a 98mm MAF that was also the factory airbox for the 07-09 Saleen S281 SC Extreme models..