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Their isn't really a best. Go for the one you like the looks of and can afford. i own the jlt. Good gains, looks okay. I was worried with the price tage on C&L stuff, but theirs are great, steeda is good too. Jlt, steeda, c&l. Look more into info on the tune than the cai.
+1. Most of your power comes from the tune and not from the CAI. I have a Steeds CAI and really like it. There are CAIs out there that do not require a tune and there are those that do, such as mine. Save up some money and buy the CAI/Tuner combo package. Buying just a CAI would be a waste of money IMO.
I'm leaning towards the FRPP P/N: M-9603-M463 because it has a paper element instead of the oil soaked cleanable types. I've had a very bad experience with the rechargable filters (they keep out large chunks, but dust gets through from my personal experience).
Location: PA to KY ('07) to IL ('09) to MS ('10) to FL ('11)
Posts: 16,182
The best are JLT, C&L, Steeda, Rousch and probably a few others. 75-85% of the power from a CAI & tune combo is from the tune. The remainder is from the CAI and one is no "better" than another. Choose based on what suits your eyes and wallet. Oh, wait... I have the STEEDA so that MUST be the "best".
+1. Seals against the hood liner too. And that I live in the Peoples Republic of California with its draconian emission laws. The FRPP Bullitt CAI is legal here.
The Steeda one is CARB legal too. It had to be because Ford originally offered it as their CAI. This was all before the bullet of course.