I honestly think you can't go wrong going with both. The tune gives you the ability to do other mods later on on top of the power it adds. The CAI gives also gives you about the same amount of power increase (give or take), plus does add to the dress up of the engine bay as well as improves the sound IMHO.

 

Well, we know that the Ford engineers understand how to provide a car with multiple tunes. The New BOSS 302 comes with 2 different keys. One loads the "street tune" while the other loads the "race tune." By the way, if you have ever heard them start the 302 with the two tunes, you know they are very different. The Ford engineers obviously reset the TIVCT on the new cam in the BOSS 302 when they load the "race tune." At idle the engine "lopes" like it has a "full race cam." I don't think I've seen any of the "aftermarket tunes" demonstrate any ability to change the TIVCT optimization. . . . That leaves the question, how did all those Ford engineers "go wrong" by not putting on a CAI for the new BOSS 302 engine??? They sure seemed to be looking for "horsepower adds" since they added new cams and significantly rebuilt the engine.

 

Well I can't tell if your question comes with a sense of sarcasm or if it's a real quesition. My guess is the sound of an open CAI isn't the sound that a large group of people would want to deal with. That and while some CAI's might be CARB certified, the noise they generate can draw a lot of unwanted attention. They're flat out loud. Often times when a manufacturer leaves power on the table the can be made up by a tuner it's to make it more attractive from a daily drivability perspective.

 

I think that going with both is huge. Yes, if you start with an 87 octane pull and then run 93 with a CAI you're going to see 25+RWHP all day long. This is true. I was going off of 93 octane results both stock and modded.

Basically, if you add the CAI first, it makes the tune numbers appear to be not worth it.

If you add the tune first, it makes the CAI numbers appear to be not worth it.

If you look at the benefits, there IS reason to have both.

The tune gives you better driveability in general. You get a cleaner tune, optimized for your octane level, throttle response, automatic get increased shift pressures, faster/firmer shifts, and again, 3 different maps that alow you to pick what style of driving matches your favorite custom tune. Also datalogging, read/clear check engine lights, better MPG, etc. This also supports any future modifications that you do (especially if purchased from Bama with free tunes for life! )

The CAI gives you the added performance, added MPG, and supports future modifications. The intake is going to create more and more power as your air requirements increase. If you add long tube headers, you'll lose alot more than 3-5 horsepower by switching out the intake for the stock air box. I hope this makes sense. That and they look sweet! Also, you're going to notice a very slight decrease in your intake air temperatures. That, plus the filter is cleanable and reusable.

 

I've heard a couple people say the CAI is going to increase gas mileage. How does it do this? If you're increasing the volume of air, isn't the ECU going to compensate by adding more fuel to hit the target AF ratio set on the tune?

 

here's how was explained to me in very basic terms.....if the motor is sucking the volume it needs more easily, then the car is using it more efficeint and not working as much to deliver the air...blah. blah...lol....that's what I was told?

 

Oh, I am really looking to understand the apparent "mismatch" in "understanding" about the "performance" of a CAI. You probably can't tell from the photo, but the BOSS 302 in the picture is the Laguna Seca model of the new BOSS 302. No back seat, no inside door trim panels etc. I'm kind of doubting it is a "CAI noise" issue The Laguna Seca makes about 344 horsepower. About 32 more then the Coyote 5.0. Both of those engines use about 50% more fuel then the V6. That means they also need about 50% more air then the V6 - to keep the needed air/fuel mixture. And yet, the Coyote engine uses the same air box as the 3.7L V6. And, it appears the BOSS 302 uses the same air box as the Coyote. . . . I get that the CAI "looks better" then the stock air box (And that seems like a perfectly good reason to buy and install one). And, I think I can understand the possible difference in the sound - and that some people really like that - which is great. What I am really trying to understand, with real data, is how the V6 - which needs much less air then the Coyote - makes approximately 10 more horsepower when a CAI is added without a tune I do understand the reason why the V6 and the Coyote make more horsepower (10 for the Coyote) when you use 91 octane fuel versus 87 octane fuel. But am still looking for data to show the contribution of a CAI with no other changes. And, I still wonder why the Ford engineers would miss that opportunity for the Laguna Seca BOSS 302's or an option for all of the BOSS 302's? Just Say'in

 

I know for fact the filter system is same as the 5.0 & the '10 GT, Cause I took the K&N out of my '10, and using in my '11 v6.

 

Got it. I don't know then. Why does any manufacturer leave HP on the table? Who knows. I don't know. It's hard to find a car that doesn't have improvements somewhere for aftermarket parts. Lots of them would still be street legal, carb certified etc. They just don't do them. I can't answer that. I'm fairly certain the Boss would make large gains as well with a CAI based on the some of the increases the GT is picking up.

 

I learned the results of aftermarket filters, tunes ect....after owning 5 harleys......most of reasons you see lack of these things on muscle cars out of showroom is all EPA Crap!!!.....once out door up to you, just like the harely, it pops, back fires through carb....you take it to service, have them drill back of breather out, put on a aftermarket filtration system flash the ecu and you get increased power, no more backfire due to the lean state that all harleys come with, of coarse with the benefut of no more backfire and more power , you lose mpgs ...but all EPA Driven..IMO..