CAI Help
11-17-2012, 02:37 AM
#11
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 26
were you saying 75% said they had tuned their car? Also do you guys reccomend AM's combo I mentioned above, or would I be better off buying them seperate? It's pretty much plug and play right? I install the CAI, then plug that little bama power thing into my cars computer and pick which tune I want? Or will I have to know like fuel ratios and air ratios or whatever. Also is it cool to tune a daily driver? My cars already up to 60k and its bone stock, do I still got a long enough life left in the vehicle worth tuning? Thanks!
11-17-2012, 02:54 AM
#12
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,717
Yes, most people on the S197 sections of the forum have their cars aftermarket tuned (usually from BAMA, or Brenspeed, maybe a few VMP).
The combo you mentioned above is fine, most CAIs are going to net you the same gains as long as they are the ones recommended by AM and from good companies (steeda, BBK, etc.) The tuner is plug and play, you order it and pick what octane tunes you want, AM will send you the tuner with the tunes already loaded onto the device, and you just follow the directions to upload the tune once you have your CAI installed.
A 1.5 hour job tops. But make sure you clean out your throttle body while installing your new CAI, as this will allow you to get better throttle response, and decrease the chances of the tune messing up your idle. (cleaning the TB is also like a 5 minute job, you can find videos all over the internet)
The combo you mentioned above is fine, most CAIs are going to net you the same gains as long as they are the ones recommended by AM and from good companies (steeda, BBK, etc.) The tuner is plug and play, you order it and pick what octane tunes you want, AM will send you the tuner with the tunes already loaded onto the device, and you just follow the directions to upload the tune once you have your CAI installed.
A 1.5 hour job tops. But make sure you clean out your throttle body while installing your new CAI, as this will allow you to get better throttle response, and decrease the chances of the tune messing up your idle. (cleaning the TB is also like a 5 minute job, you can find videos all over the internet)
11-17-2012, 10:28 AM
#13
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
11-20-2012, 07:19 PM
#16
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Decatur AL
Posts: 823
It's really just a matter of personal preference. The main thing is to go with a reputable tuner. 85-90% of your power is in the tune. The CAI just maximizes it. Most use the SCT programmer. I do. I have the the Steeda Ultimate combo on my Mustang and could not be happier. It is a very driveable tune with gobs of power.
11-21-2012, 09:51 AM
#17
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: n/a
Posts: 778
Our parts are made in the USA with parts from the USA. We back them by a lifetime warranty. Our CAI has a bell mouthed entry called a Velocity Stack that helps smooth the incoming air to promote better airflow as well as smooth airflow to ensure proper MAF readings. It also seals to the underside of the hood using actual CAD data directly from Ford. We have a close relationship with Ford via the Technology Transfer Program. Steeda is also ISO 9001:2008 certified (we actually just passed re-certification again yesterday), which is basically a quality certification stating we consistently make high-quality parts (few in the industry can say such).
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
11-21-2012, 12:11 PM
#18
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 94
There is definitely a difference in what CAI you choose. Where it is made, the materials, where those materials come from, how it is made, the engineering and testing that went into the design and development, price, etc.
Our parts are made in the USA with parts from the USA. We back them by a lifetime warranty. Our CAI has a bell mouthed entry called a Velocity Stack that helps smooth the incoming air to promote better airflow as well as smooth airflow to ensure proper MAF readings. It also seals to the underside of the hood using actual CAD data directly from Ford. We have a close relationship with Ford via the Technology Transfer Program. Steeda is also ISO 9001:2008 certified (we actually just passed re-certification again yesterday), which is basically a quality certification stating we consistently make high-quality parts (few in the industry can say such).
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
Our parts are made in the USA with parts from the USA. We back them by a lifetime warranty. Our CAI has a bell mouthed entry called a Velocity Stack that helps smooth the incoming air to promote better airflow as well as smooth airflow to ensure proper MAF readings. It also seals to the underside of the hood using actual CAD data directly from Ford. We have a close relationship with Ford via the Technology Transfer Program. Steeda is also ISO 9001:2008 certified (we actually just passed re-certification again yesterday), which is basically a quality certification stating we consistently make high-quality parts (few in the industry can say such).
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
11-21-2012, 12:27 PM
#19
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Decatur AL
Posts: 823
The SCT is the tuning device. The tuners are the ones who create the files and download them to the device. You then plug the device to your OBD port, follow the instructions. You transfer your stock PCM strategy to the device which then uploads the new tune files to your PCM. At that point your device is "married" to that vehicle. Different custom tuners develope different tunes. I my self am sold on Steeda. The others AM, Brenspeed, etc. are just as good. The Steeda tune is just my personal preference. I really like it a lot.
11-21-2012, 12:59 PM
#20
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
There is definitely a difference in what CAI you choose. Where it is made, the materials, where those materials come from, how it is made, the engineering and testing that went into the design and development, price, etc.
Our parts are made in the USA with parts from the USA. We back them by a lifetime warranty. Our CAI has a bell mouthed entry called a Velocity Stack that helps smooth the incoming air to promote better airflow as well as smooth airflow to ensure proper MAF readings. It also seals to the underside of the hood using actual CAD data directly from Ford. We have a close relationship with Ford via the Technology Transfer Program. Steeda is also ISO 9001:2008 certified (we actually just passed re-certification again yesterday), which is basically a quality certification stating we consistently make high-quality parts (few in the industry can say such).
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
Our parts are made in the USA with parts from the USA. We back them by a lifetime warranty. Our CAI has a bell mouthed entry called a Velocity Stack that helps smooth the incoming air to promote better airflow as well as smooth airflow to ensure proper MAF readings. It also seals to the underside of the hood using actual CAD data directly from Ford. We have a close relationship with Ford via the Technology Transfer Program. Steeda is also ISO 9001:2008 certified (we actually just passed re-certification again yesterday), which is basically a quality certification stating we consistently make high-quality parts (few in the industry can say such).
Let me know if I can help you with anything.
The company I work for also has those certs and they are important at maintaining a high build quality and maintaining a method to address customer complaints as related to improve overall product quality. You cannot deviate from the quality process outlined by ISO and your approved ISO process without documenting it (paper trail). Makes it harder to get "bad batches" of products.
Hmm, that will weigh-in heavily on my next round of purchases which will happen to be suspension parts