I was just wondering if just putting a CAI on the engine that does not require a tune would damage anything in the engine over time?

And what would the damage, if anything, be?

 

In my humble opinion it's irresponsible for a company to sell a CAI that can supposedly provide more HP with no tune, the only way to make more HP is to pump more air, in the case of the ones touting no tune needed they are leaning the mix which in some cases is great for making power but in most can cause detonation which of course is bad.

Best practice would be to avoid the ones that claim it's not needed or to buy them and get a tune created for it. Better yet, save the trouble and spend the money to do it right, buy one with a tuner and tune no worries down the road then.

Oh yeah, possible engine damage would be BLOWN ENGINE....

 

There is a catch 22 to that. I talked to a Ford dealer about this and he said that if the CAI does not require a tune it will not be the cause of voided warranty issue. If the engine is retuned it will.

 

The good thing about a tune is that it saves your current computer setup. If you take it to Ford for work, simply upload the factory tune back on the computer and could even remove the CAI and put the factory tube back on. No one would be the wiser.

I don’t have a CAI on my car yet but do on a truck. It puts out a deeper sound but hasn’t damage the motor that I’ve noticed. Im haven’t used tune for a while because of gas prices and I have been hauling things. Its been running strong a little over a year

 

Viking - 100% right and well said.

rippin-n-tarin - warranty and mods should never be discussed in the same conversation. If someone is concerned with warranty at all, they should not mod the car in any way shape or form IMO. Heck, don't even buy rims cause ford just might find a loophole in the roadside assistance program should you get a flat.

If warrany is such an issue, the KIA should be the car of choice for you guys.

 

BULLSHI8.

 

This the latest I got about CAI's

This is what I sent to the Airaid company asking them questions about their CAI system.

I have purchased one of your CAI’s for my 2006 Mustang GT. I like it but have heard some bad things about CAI systems. Your CAI system doesn’t require a tune, which is one on the reasons, I wanted it. A number of people said that it can damage the engine by making the air fuel mix too lean, and that will cause a valve or ring problem down the road.

Is this true?



Also a Ford dealer said that it can cause a warranty coverage issue problem if something goes wrong with the engine.

Is this true?


Your Dyno results have shown about a 17HP gain in the Mustang GT when using the Airaid system.

Is this 17HP gain with or without a tune being done?


This is the response I recieved back:

Michael

Thank you for your inquiry and thank you for your purchase of AIRAID intake. No Michael this intake system has been extensively
Tested if there were a lean condition you would have service engine lights showing up, their have not been any of these problem brought
Too our attention.
As far as the dealer warranty is concern if they could show in writing that the system caused the engine problem AIRAID will stand behind
You and help with the warranty there is a web site WWW.ENJOYTHEDRIVE.COM that will explain your wrights with regard to aftermarket
Parts. As my kit states there is no need too have a tuner so the dyno readings are with no other changes but the AIRAID system
Hope this answered your questions if there is anything else please E-MAIL me.

Thanks Bill

 

If the CAI changes the dimensions of the MAF housing, then I wouldn't run it without a tune. What it basically does is put the MAF sensor out of spec, and you need to retune the ECU for the changed specs. However, if the CAI makes no changes to the MAF housing, then you don't have to worry about putting a tune on the ECU.

 

lol if a company doesnt require a tune..then it doesnt NEED ONE. simple as that, you guys are making this harder than it is. I work in performance parts for an online dealer for trucks...i sell a ton of CAI's and exhaust.......

 

DONT listen to the dealer, instead listen to a profesional aftermarket shop. the new 05-07 mustangs need a tune with just about evry mod, so just save up 200$ and spring for a predator tune and tune the sucker. Why risk it ?!!!??? just tune it and be safe plus yull gain some power just from a modest tune