Ford Racing CAI Question

Danboy5050 · 10-14-2009, 02:03 AM

I baught a used ford racing cai off ebay. I went to the ford parts site and it says I have to get the car calibrated for the new intake or I will damage the motor. My question is do I have to have it calibrated/tuned or can i just install it and let it be. I figure its the same thing as a k and n why do I need the calibration. I know you might say it will make it run lean but what makes it any diffrent from any other intake on the market that I dont have to tune for? BTW its for a 08 mustang gt.

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Mustang Forums!

highline · 10-14-2009, 09:24 AM

needs calibration...give bren, bama, ect a call...

mac10chap · 10-14-2009, 09:36 AM

you changed the size of the MAF. Your car is calibrated to run the stock size. Trust me, it will run like crap with the new one on without a tune.

Nuke · 10-14-2009, 10:33 AM

Some CAI's and the elbows provide little more airflow than stock and won't throw a CEL for running lean. Better CAI's allow more air and, w/o a tune, WILL run lean. Additionally, our PCM's can only adjust for some of that additional airflow and will not provide you the gains that can be attained. The tune provides this and is usually about 80% of the power adder of a CAI & tune combo. Stand alone CAI is good for roughly 3-6 RWHP. CAI & tune combo is godd for 15-25 or more RWHP. Additionally, the tune will also provide for better throttle response and shift points (for autos).

Go to the brenspeed website and check out their tutorials and info on their tuners. Most here wouldn't bother with a CAI w/o a tune. AND, stay away from the FRPP tune package. Their tunes are mild compared to those from Brenspeed, Bama, Tillman, VMP and a few others that are more popular with the forum members.

BRENSPEED · 10-14-2009, 10:34 AM

The ford racing intake has a larger MAF diameter when compaired to stock. If installed without a tune, your car will run lean which is horrible for your engine. A custom will take into account the larger MAF diameter. Make sure you get a custom tune before you run this intake.

MustangRacing4.6ltr · 10-14-2009, 05:22 PM

i ended up getting a cel after the fr cai install , plus as stated above, car ran like total sh*t! so called brenspeed got the sct x3 with a nice 91 octane tune that has been doing great for me ever since and also stated above i wouldnt replace your intake without the tune/tuner , because i ended up putting my stock one back on til i got the tune!

Danboy5050 · 10-14-2009, 06:45 PM

Well hanks for the info But then I have one more question. What if I reuse the stock elbow on the new intake, would that solve the MAF size isue and keep the car from running lean till I get enough cash for a tuner?

MustangRacing4.6ltr · 10-15-2009, 01:22 AM

i actually tried that , but the stock elbow did not fit on the steeda/frpp cai/maf part of the intake!

Nuke · 10-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Do yourself a favor: Don't do things half-azzed. You'll regret it.

RainsFather · 10-17-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danboy5050

Well hanks for the info But then I have one more question. What if I reuse the stock elbow on the new intake, would that solve the MAF size isue and keep the car from running lean till I get enough cash for a tuner?

no, the maf is the part that sensor goes into. The frpp cai uses a larger maf than stock. No matter how much air flows into your motor, if you change maf sizes it must be recalibrated/tuned for that change. When I bought my frpp cai it didn't come with the plastic elbow so I continued using the stock rubber piece, but it still required a tune.