I put a CAI and a 91 race tune from AM. I have a borla exhaust too and my car feels awesome and like a complete different car. My exhaust does not add any power, but the sound is amazing. This is the best bang for the buck i think and a must do. Trsut me, you cant go wrong and is money well spent

 

Thanks for all the good info – you guys are a great resource. I still haven’t made a decision (not in a hurry since the car’s garaged and covered until the weather gets better) on whether a CAI is worth it or not. You guys have convinced me that a 93 tune is absolutely worthwhile, but I don’t know about the CAI. If I get the CAI (would get the FRPP) at the same time as the tune, I would save $40 (could maybe call it $60 since I need a new air filter and wouldn’t have to get that if I got a CAI).

Based on this, I have the following question:

Has anybody run a 91-93 tune on a completely stock engine and then later added a CAI and a retune? If so, did you notice a difference? It seems like most people go for the CAI and tune combo. Since I would want the CAI only for potential performance, I’m not sure if it’s worth it for an additional 5 hp at a cost of $200. If it also improves throttle response or low end torque or something, then it becomes a more attractive option.

Thanks again for all your help!

 

In my humble opinion, i think a tune alone gives you about 15-20 hp in difference and another 5-8 additional for the CAI. If you ask me, i rather pay up the first time, and never worry about the problem again. Some things are not worth nickle and diming. You will never ever go wrong with the CAI. In this car , i only have CAI and a 91 race tune since 93 octane is hard to find where i am from. and i found the power gains are suffcient for me cause my car is a daily driver. If you can get three tunes from AM, it would be a good idea to get one of the at 87 octane incase youre stuck somewhere where they dont have the gas you need. Because its bad if you use lower octane gas for a higher octane tune, without sounding confusing. The tune and CAI are part in parcel and its a collabrative combo that makes a difference. I would let you drive mine if you were geographically closer lol ?

 

Thanks, but I really don't want a CAI (for the reasons stated in my original post). It's not about the money. That being said, I would still install a CAI IF I could expect to actually feel the difference between it with a tune and just a tune. I have a hard time thinking I could tell the difference of 5 hp (less than 2%) if that's the only advantage. If the CAI helps throttle response, fuel economy, or any other parameter more than just a tune, I would be interested in installing one. I guess to answer that, it would really take someone who ran stock with a tune and then added a CAI (which I know will be the exception to the rule since most people start with a tune AND a CAI)...

 

My two cents: get a tuner + tunes from American Muscle. Their tunes are awesome, and I've tried quite a few. They have a very fast turnaround compared to the other guys, have great support, and offer free tunes for life. Get a CAI down the road and they'll hook you up with an updated tune in no time.

 

That's kind of what I'm thinking at this point. I'm sure I'd be happy with just the tune to wake up the car and it's not like the CAI is half price if you get it at the same time - just $40 cheaper or so. I could always get a CAI later like you say.

 

I believe you'd feel the additional 5 or RWHP with the CAI & tune vs just the tune. Most folks have a sensitive enough "butt dyno" to feel about 5 RWHP. But the CAI (and modified tune for the additional air) will slightly deepen the exhaust note just a tad. Just sayin'...

 

Really? I hadn't heard that a CAI will deepen the exhaust note. That would be a plus and a lot cheaper than new exhaust! I still think I'd have a hard time feeling 5 hp, but maybe you're right that I would too...

 

A 5 RWHP gain is tough to feel if you drive the car "mildly" both before and after the swap. I usually recommend a "spirited" drive before and after loading tunes. The same would apply to most any performance mod.

Not everyone says they notice the exhaust note change. I didn't but at the time I loaded my CAI & tune I had the FRPP/Borla Stingers installed.

 

I gotta agree. For me, the premium fuel is worth it - unless it's in the dead of winter.

Go with a CAI/Tuner combo kit from Bama/AM and you'll be happy you did. We have different tunes for different driving styles. We have free tunes for life, and all of our tunes are developed and researched on the dyno, street, track and have thousands of satisfied customers. Dyno tunes are great, but they're only as good as the dyno tuner itself. There are dyno tunes that are slightly better than mail order tunes, there are dyno tunes that are about the same and there are times where a dyno tune gets schooled by our mail order tunes. It really all depends on who you take it to. There's about 10 people in the country I'd trust with my 99+ Mustang (especially 05+).