Cold Air Intake Question - Page 2

staggolee · 05-05-2009, 03:46 AM

alright sonicmetalic mentioned it and I've always wondered: I got the K&N CAI because I got a great deal on it and so far I haven't regretted it, but I've always wondered if my tune will be less effective than a person who has a tune with a CAI that requires it? Is this the case?

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serbiandude · 05-05-2009, 01:15 PM

thx for the info guys

i got a great place to get all this done, so in the next couple weeks i probably will, untill then i got some time to make sure what i want to get
also is it safe for the engine if u get the cai tune, i dont think there would be any problems but i want to make sure that it is safe

also one lil things thats been bugging me, do the lights on the 08 v6 always stay on, not the night lights, the fog lights i think, i've been reading the manual and nottin of any use

Sancho805 · 05-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staggolee

alright sonicmetalic mentioned it and I've always wondered: I got the K&N CAI because I got a great deal on it and so far I haven't regretted it, but I've always wondered if my tune will be less effective than a person who has a tune with a CAI that requires it? Is this the case?

i went through a similar path, not with the K&N but instead with the AEM Brute Force. basically, many moons ago before the C&L was available for our 6ers, i purchased an AEM/Diablo tuner combo. i was pleased with the boost the canned tune gave my car over just the AEM installed by itself (i tested CAI alone, then CAI with tune). CAI gave me a boost in throttle response but not much else. the canned tune gave me the throttle response PLUS increased pep throughout the rpm band. i then went ahead and purchased Bama custom tunes (87 perf, 91 torq, 91 race) for my AEM. MUCH more noticeable difference and i was a happy camper. i knew that the synthetic dryflow filter that came with my CAI was great for filtration but not so great for high flow. i swapped the filter with a S&B powerstack cotton filter and even better performance was felt from just this alone. i was easily able to screech my tire and the throttle response was great. this setup was definitely more than adequate.

down the road, i came across a used C&L and jumped on it. Bama sent me revised tunes specifically for the C&L free of charge. now i didnt know how much to expect with the new CAI and same tunes but i knew it would be a plus. after the first drive, i noticed a further boost in throttle response/torq but nothing significant. as for the rest of the rpm band, it seemed to pull a bit harder in the high end but again nothing significant.

my advice, just go ahead and get custom tunes for your K&N. no real need to hold out for a different CAI unless you find a great deal on the one you want like i did. the difference between a custom tuned "no-tune-required" CAI and custom tuned "tune-required" CAI is not significant based off my experience. there are noticeable positive differences but again, nothing really significant so you shouldn't feel like you're missing out on much. JMO. hope this helps some.

*NOTE: for those who are still running factory setup and want a CAI, i still recommend saving up for a "tune-required" CAI/custom tuner combo unless they can find another reputable CAI for a REALLY GREAT deal, kinda like the deal i've been offering my old AEM for

staggolee · 05-05-2009, 02:42 PM

Thanks a lot Sancho, that helps a lot and puts me at ease. Really looking forward to tuning it now.

157db · 05-05-2009, 04:31 PM

C&L Predator Combo BamaChips

Biceps · 05-07-2009, 11:52 PM

Well, if you just bought it, I imagine you're concerned about protecting your warranty. You should note that purchasing an after market CAI + tune could results in a voided warranty for that part and any parts associated with it's function.

With that said, CAI's are awesome first upgrades and Ford Racing does make one. Check out Ford Racing's CAI + tune combo. It's $500'ish, about $100+ cheaper than other after market combos. While some after market combos may add a few more HP, they also don't protect your warranty. And, you can't really tell the difference between 1-3hp anyways.

So, I understand that you're stoked right now and excited to start modding the sh*t out of your baby (I was too), but you need to decide what's important to you. Mods or warranty protection.

Now, you can mod the sh*t out of the exterior appearance without affecting your warranty. It's the engine mods you do that can come back to bite you.

I have an 08 V6 too and already that warranty has come in handy a couple times.

my first mustang · 05-08-2009, 02:48 AM

The Ford cai looks great and probably offers good HP gains BUT only comes with a single tune(premium gas). Xcal & Predator hold three tunes. I just wish Ford would sell there cai without the tuner as I would buy one in a heartbeat and have VMP make me a couple of tunes for it. VMP sells his own cai and Xcal tuner for $449.00 and it works great. Yes you usually use just one tune but it is nice to be able to run 87 gas if gas prices go crazy again. VMP also offer a mileage tune that seems to work pretty good with the highway mileage on my V6 Mustang. Plus anytime I needed warranty work it was a very easy job to reinstall the stock tune and airbox.

serbiandude · 05-08-2009, 03:51 AM

im deffinetly going with the looks mods
i got rims in mind, blackout panel on the back, louvers for windows, and so much more
i dont really need the cai all that much, not going to be racing alot, just messing aroun with my buddys
i know that warranty is important, so i'll leave the engine as it is for now

Biceps · 05-11-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my first mustang

The Ford cai looks great and probably offers good HP gains BUT only comes with a single tune(premium gas). Xcal & Predator hold three tunes. I just wish Ford would sell there cai without the tuner as I would buy one in a heartbeat and have VMP make me a couple of tunes for it. VMP sells his own cai and Xcal tuner for $449.00 and it works great. Yes you usually use just one tune but it is nice to be able to run 87 gas if gas prices go crazy again. VMP also offer a mileage tune that seems to work pretty good with the highway mileage on my V6 Mustang. Plus anytime I needed warranty work it was a very easy job to reinstall the stock tune and airbox.

Interesting. Can you explain this to me then. If Ford only provides a single tune for premium gas, what are the other 2 tunes used for that other people get with tuners like the Xcal???

staggolee · 05-11-2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biceps

Interesting. Can you explain this to me then. If Ford only provides a single tune for premium gas, what are the other 2 tunes used for that other people get with tuners like the Xcal???

The two other tunes are for other octanes (usually 87, 89, 91, although 94 is out there to). Those other tunes also have different names for their different uses: torque, performance, and race are the most common. They all have their own effects on the powerband like providing more low-end torque or more power in the higher RPM's. I'm sure someone will come by to add to my answer but that's the jist of it.