squirrel502

So I have had my mustang for about 5 months now, and I think I am finally ready to order a CAI kit. That being said, there are alot of options out there...and I am not the car guy that I use to be. So with out further ado...the questions.

1) Which CAI kit would be the best bang for the buck to increase performance/MPG in a "fun" daily driver?

2) Would an 87 tune be worth it? Or should I get a 91 and just pay more at the pump?

3) How hard is it to install and tune a CAI *for a novice*?

4) Does a CAI work with Ram Air? *looking at getting a new hood*


Anyway, I look forward to the info and any advice given.

onederful100

1. JLT/tuner is the cheapest, easiest to install, and gets as much hp/tq as the other best CAI/tuner combos.

2. get higher octane

3. JLT took me about 20 minutes to install, 1 bolt and 3 hose clamps, even a 12 year old girl can do it.

4. most ram air hoods are not functional, but the CAI sucks air from beneath and once you get goin the IAT are about equal to ambient temps.

Nuke

1. Performance wise, they're all equivalent. Buy based on what suits your eyes and wallet. But buy whatever combo from Brenspeed or Bamachips. Their tunes are top notch as are their customer service. Gains, real-world, are roughly from 15-25 or more RWHP depending on mods, octane, etc..

2. My 87 custom Brenspeed tune rocks over the stock 87. I also have 89 and 93 custom tunes (you get 3 tunes with the combos) and run my 89 tune 99% of the time.

3. The install is simple. There's a how-to video on the Brenspeed website.

4. As far as I know, there are no intakes set-up to accomodate hoods with "real" open scoops. Plus, it wouldn't do much good since the CAI's (with tunes) can gulp all the air our S197's can handle (unless you're FI or heavily modded internally).

JCON

I have a JLT CAI for sale, $100 + shipping. it's in great condition and is clean. includes heat shield

fordracefan

I just installed the Steeda CAI with a 91 octane brenspeed tune on my 08 GT Auto. It was worth every penny. I got the Carbon Fiber version, which is a little more expense, but I liked the way it looked the best. Also it was really easy to install. It took me and a friend a couple hours, and we are pretty novice. The hardest part was pulling the vacuum sensor out of the old tube. Installing the new CAI was cake.

Cusp

Since you are in California, you need to be aware that not all CAI kits will pass emission testing. Being that you have an 09, they will not inspect you for several more years. But unless you want to return your car to stock when your inspection comes around or you sell the car, make sure that the kit you choose has a CARB EO number. The Ford Racing kit has such a number which will pass smog inspection when used with their supplied 91 tune. I think that the ford racing cai (especially the filter shield) is the best looking one. It seals against the closed hood perfectly. It looks like it may have a ram air effect at speed. Its the one I went with. That perofrmance upgrade package really work the car up. And applying my 91 Road Race tune from Tillman Speed woke the car up. My 2 cents.....