1998 GT

if i get a cold air intake for an 09 GT does it need to be tuned?

East87

Most intakes require a tune. Some, however, do not. Usually in the product description is where this distinction is made.

Lakers1

Not all CAI have to be tuned. But to get the most out of your CAI you should get a custom tune from bamachips or breenspeed to go with it.

onederful100

get a JLT and a tuner, its cheap, easy to install, and is one of the best for hp/tq.

i installed a no tune CAI on my dads gt and got a CEL, have heard of others with the same situation. so even if it says no tune, you still might get a CEL. so i would go for a tune required CAI, and save you the agony of getting a no tune CAI only to find out later that you need a tune. do it right the 1st time.

Nuke

A stand alone CAI might net you about 5 RWHP. A good CAI & tune combo will net you 15-25 or more. Don't waste your money on a standalone. You WILL regret it.

1998 GT

thanks for all the input guys i was asking for a friend who has an 09 gt. he just ordered a BBK CAI...

ckone0814

tell him to get tunes - he won't be sorry.

ptaylor_9849

CAI without a tune caused me to fail come inspection time. It through a code saying bank 1 too lean. Too much air and not enough fuel.

vertigyn

+1 CAI increases the air flow - without a tune the fuel levels aren't increased and can cause the car to run lean (which can be a very bad thing...)

When I had just a K&N CAI on my Mach the car would stall itself out because it was running too lean (protective measure on the cars part). Had to get it tuned to fix the issue.

JDWalton

Most codes are from intakes that have a different MAF size. Like the BBK for example is the factory size inlet, so it doesnt need a tune because for the velocity the air is moving through the MAF, the same amount of air is still reaching the engine, so the factory tune is still good. Your power gain is simply due to less resistance in the filter.

Now take like a Steeda or any of the others with a 90mm opening. The reason they throw a code, is with the larger diameter opening, to get the same amount of air to pass through the intake, it now moves much slower. Because it is moving slower through the MAF sensor, the car thinks not enough air is getting though, hence the to lean. Your power gain is still the same, you are only gaing power from less restictive inlet path. None of these setups are forcing the air in, so its only that your engine can suck air in easier.

Either type setup, your gaining 5-10 from the intake making it easier to breath. The rest of the power your getting from the tune. The intakes with the 90mm just happen to need a tune to make the factory maf function to the new flow rates. But the trade is they also shine when you start adding more mods that increas the flow through the motor.

IMHO, have your friend send that BBK back (and I used to run it,) Get one of the intakes with the 90mm inlets, and get it from Bama with a SCT and tunes. If you get one of the race tunes, not only does it give a good increase in power, but he does amazing things with maping the throttle and the response is just amazing.