Which CAI is the best for a 05 GT? One that's good even for high hp later down the road.

 

There is no "best". Paired with a good tune, any CAI will make equivalent power. And without a tune, don't expect more than 3-5 RWHP from a stand-alone CAI and expect to throw a CEL for running lean, even with the no-tune-required CAI's, on occassion. The tune is about 75%-80% of the combo's power gain so be more concerned with whose tunes you buy than with the CAI.

If you read the sigs of the forum members, you'll see a lot of C&L, K&N, JLT, Steeda and a few others dominate. I did a poll not too long ago and roughly 75% of the forum members are running non-OE tunes.

 

What about plastic or aluminum piping? Is there one that works better?

 

I could be wrong but it seems to me if you have a aluminum cai system it would draw more heat...

 

http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/WMS-...ntake_Ram.html

Go with this one. Better results when moving, backed by datalogging since a dyno can't measure the difference ram air has on a still car. Can run with out a tune and produce better results but the tune is where the money is.

Dyno'ed 23rwhp without a tune (although I would like to see this in person)

I will be getting this intake shortly after my exhaust is installed.

 

please advise after install. very interesting..

 

Get the newest JLT. I had the series 2 and made 299whp 312wtq from intake, tune, after cat xpipe, and axle back exhaust and that's it on my 2010 with a 92 octane tune from Bama.

 

I will report numbers after I get in in and dynoed which may be sooner than I anticipated

 

You have to have a ram air hood in order for that ram air intake to work though, right?

 

No. If you look at the revised radiator cover, you will see to large cutouts as well as a larger, square, latch area. These are sufficient to provide the filter with enough air to produce good numbers for just a CAI (with or without tune)