gmoran1469

The reason some CAI's require a tune is because they use the same MAF sensor in a larger diameter intake tube coming from the filter. This will change how the MAF sensor works. With the same CFM of air running through the intake, a larger diameter tube will meter lower on the MAF compared to a smaller one and the ECM will lean out the fuel trim. Thus the reason the intakes require a tune. A larger diameter intake tube is going to be less restrictive and can increase horsepower. I popped on my Roush CAI and even without a tune you could tell there was a difference, the throttle response was better and the sound was deeper. I am not saying you get more horsepower, because as far as I can tell you can tune the car to get just as much HP from the stock airbox that you can from the CAI, but to me the CAI has better throttle response and gives the stock exhaust a better note.

LordRipberger

Stop driving through the woods and parking under trees. lol

CMcNam

It does not defeat the purpose of the air intake. On my 2007 it also draws air from the wheel well, I don't know if it's the same for yours. An air intake without the tune IS pretty much pointless. An air intake in combination with a tune is a proven gain (mostly from the tune), but as was also explained, a larger diameter intake also draws more air for the tuned engine to utilize.

From what I understand the intake on the 5.0 does a fine job by itself, but you still can't dismiss the gains of a larger diameter intake and a good tune as a "cool look".

Just get the regular replacement filter if you're not going to swap to a CAI.

krazykevin

please not K&N...
Wix or motorcraft if you want to replace it.

Buchez09GT

On my 2014 I can see what the air temp is coming in on my digital dash. When the car's idle, IE sitting at a traffic light, the air temp rises which would be expected. While driving the air temp coming in is identical to what my car says the outside air temp is. Which again, is logical. Other than driving around with bags of ice inside my CAI, I don't know how else to lower that incoming temp.

FWIW, I have the Airaid RACE CAI for my 5.0

dseg

What's wrong with the k&n replacement filter?

cruisin5268d

Many here have found that the charging oil can gum up with throttle body - especially if you use too much oil (which I always seem to have done on my past vehicles)

moosestang

This has been my experience with the whipple CAI and it just has a metal shroud around it, not really blocking any heat from the motor.

ModBargains

For those saying intakes are useless without a tune, or they don't feel intakes make much power or that it's not worth it. Here's AFE's dyno, please note it's on a Mustang Dyno so numbers look lower here than on a dynojet for example. But even still at 4700RPM we get a delta of 25.3HP and at 4775RPM we see a delta of 29.1ft/lbs at the WHEELS. Mind you the delta isn't the PEAK gain, but it's USABLE mid-range power that you use on a daily basis since we don't all redline every single gear while driving of course. Here's proof:



No tune, just before/after with an intake for a Mustang that already had an axle back exhaust and nothing else.

baddog671

If you are driving it doesn't really matter where it pulls from. The air going into the intake will be the same temperature as it is outside, within a degree or 2. Check out you IAT sensor to confirm this.