ezio350

both combine is the way to go. I installed the CAI first (No tune required) and yes it makes a huge difference just the CAI alone. Adding a tune is like adding a good topping to your icecream. haaahaaaa

GT Bob

I'm not saying one way is better or not. If Gunk is the big reason you shy from a CAI, then just be aware that AEM makes a CAI with a filter that is not oiled. It's called the Brute Force. Alot of the Chevy Colorado guys run them because the MAF's on them are stupidly sensitive to gunk and most of the oiled filters were fouling them. I run one on my Colorado and the quality of the system is top notch. Can't say how it is on a Mustang tho.

Just something for ya to chew on.

Blair

I am running a 91 octaneBrenspeed tune with no CAI. I originally ordered the tuner with the C&L street intake, but took the intake off primarily because of some of the same concerns you have about the filter lettingin too muchdust and the filter oil. Between the two I noticed that the low end throttle response is a little better with the stock intake, the top end pull is a little better with the C&L. However, for me the minimal powergain was not worth the threat of an engine full of fine dust and sand that got by the C&L filter. Also, there were two things to me that clinched the deal in taking off the C&L: One was the air filter filtration review on www.bobistheoilguy.com and the fact that my friends supercharged Saleen came from the factory with the stock airbox. If the stock intake flows enough for the Saleen supercharger, then it should have plenty of capacity for the stock setup.

Blair

tonkpils555666sas

wait, i thought the point of getting a tune was to tune the car to respond properly to the new air intake system... what would you tune if you just bought the hand held device? how would just a tune help the car?(serious question.... no sarcasm)

howarmat

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=16964

mustangman02232

experts like the guys who produce the stuff? i dont think so,

ive never seen a new car dyno with just a CAI or just a tune, i know on the old ones, you would get a whopign 1 HP from a CAI and crisper throttle response, seeing as its a fancy tube with a big filter, its probably about the same on the new ones but have never really seen one dyno

wmtheflash

That's the best solution. You can also purchase the AEM Dryflow filters seperately. Changing the filter does not require you to change your tune. You just need to make sure it fits. I'm using one on my Steeda intake. They do flow less than the cotton filters, but they are also better at collecting dirt and don't require oil.

richmod

How much is a DryFlow filter for a JLT or C&L CAI? Checked their website and couldn't find that info.

Also, did you notice any difference in performance when you switched from oiled to DryFlow on your Steeda CAI?

sybidoc

On a 05, 5M, I dyno'd 264HP and 280TQ stock. With just the canned Predator 87 tune, and the stock air box and filter, it turned 279 HP and 301 TQ. I think most of the gains are due to the tune and just a little due to the intake. I know I can take a new WRX STI, from a dig at a light, did it pretty easy.

gconnsr

Personally, I think the cold air intakesI have seen are a joke! Your factory box has a very good seal to keep out engine heat, the seal on the cai is garbage. Engine heat getting sucked into your intake will slow your car down, not speed it up. I put the ram air shaker kit on mine, it taps into the factory box and comes with a high flow filter. I noticed more HPs and top end as soon as I put it on. No tune! I'm pretty sure I'm getting more, and cooler air into the engine than any cai kit! I added flowmasters after that, and again I felt another power gain. My next move is to put the 3.73 in and get rid of the converters, then I will buy a tuner. Don't jump on the bandwagon just because everyone else is, read up on ram air, blowers, turbos, N2o, and air density before you waste your hard earned money. I'm sure its the tune that makes the diff. not the cai. Thats why they push the tuner with the cai. Your car was set to run lean and the timing was retarded from the factory to pass emissions, the tuner advances the timing and rich-ens the fuel, thats where you get the HPs. To say there is hardly a change when you do the tune with-out the cai is a joke, it's just the opposite!