So here is my predicament. Due to wedding costs I can only afford to do EITHER a CAI or a tuner.
As I understand, and correct me if I am wrong, a tuner really should be the first major purchase as it is needed for most other mods. i.e. Gears, CAI, CMDP, etc.
So, my question is this; will just a tune on a stock motor make a difference? Can I at least get rid of the throttle lag?
Let me know.
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2008 Black on Black GT, 5spd, IUP, 3.55,Tinted the Windows. Boom Tubes,Shorty Antenna,Spoiler Delete, JLT CAI and 93 Race Tune From BAMA
First of all, the 2 go together like bacon and eggs... Don't do one without the other.
Yes, the tune will make a noticeable difference w/o the CAI (more so than just the CAI) but the 2 really are matched nicely. The tune should also eliminate throttle lag. Still, I cringe at the thought of not doing the combo.
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Rick 07 GT Prem, Alloy, MT, 3.55s, Steeda CAI/Xcal2 w/Brenspeed tunes, 14" shorty, 275/40/18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Allseasons on SVT 2007 Cobras, FRPP Stingers
The tune for a cold air should not be the same as a tune that uses the OE air inlet. I don't know if these tunes ship with options for either intake option, but I'd really hate to end up having bought two tunes by the time I got around to installing the cold air. And I wouldn't get the cold air without the proper tune.
Norm
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08 GT Premium Black/Light Graphite, stick, un-FStock weenie-EP 626/V6, Prepared just enough, sometimes
First of all, the 2 go together like bacon and eggs... Don't do one without the other.
Yes, the tune will make a noticeable difference w/o the CAI (more so than just the CAI) but the 2 really are matched nicely. The tune should also eliminate throttle lag. Still, I cringe at the thought of not doing the combo.
Actually, you can do one before the other... If you go with the C&L Street CAI, you can leave the "no-tune" insert in the MAF inlet and run with the stock-tune.. bench tests have shown 18+ rwhp gain with the Intake without tune. Then down the road you can purchase a tuner w/ tunes, ( written for your C&L Street), take out the insert, and pick up another 10-15rwhp. Plus, as Nuke points out, you can tailor the tune to change shift points (on an auto), throttle lag, A/F mix, etc. Check out these links:
i don't think he'd get another 10-15 for the tuned version.. probably another 5-7. I thought if you order the sct tuner from brenspeed all other parts you order come with free tunes? (excluding nitrous). overall.. I don't think it's going to make a big enough difference to just do 1 without the other.. you'll probably regret not waiting and just doing both..the combination of the 2 is where you notice it and you feel justified in the 500-600 you spent.. you'll probably think.. what? i spent $300 for that? I don't even really notice any difference!
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2007 Mustang GT Automatic Steeda CAI & Brenspeed Tune 14.6 @ 98MPH (DA of 6395 = 13.3 @ 106mph)
Posts: 388
Joined: 3/17/2007 From: Greater Philadelphia area Status: offline
There is probably some clever answer to 'chicken or the egg' which states that they both have to appear at the same time and that you cannot have one before the other. In my opinion, such is the answer to the question of 'cold air intake' or 'tune(r)'. When I did my searching I found the best prices when the two were bundled. I bought the package and ended up saving money.
I saw data somewhere that showed a worthwhile gain with the tune only. Someone calculated the cost per horsepower for the tune vs.the tune plus CAI. Return On Investment for the tune was good; for the added CAI benefit, not-so-good.
It was (like) $400 Tune = +20 HP or $20 per horsie; added CAI @ $200 = +5 horspower, or $40 per horsie.
Made sense at the time (he said, tuned but CAI-less for lo, these many moons.
Bamachips updates your tunes as you add mods, free, if you buy the tuner from them, says here.
I would get the tuner first. Just with the canned 87 tune I gained 7hp and 15LBS/TQ. Also with the tuner you can make adjustments if you buy new tires or gears.
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Chicken or the Egg/Tuner or the CAI - 
