I was told that intakesdoes not do anything for the Machs, and in some cases they lose power. So i was wondering if anyone has any proof that an intake did anything, and if so what intake was it.

 

Assuming you refer to a CAI, when combined withan aftermarket midpipe and catback theyfrequently lean out the A/F ratio enough to require a tune.Exhaust mods, a CAI, and a tuneapplied together will increase HP, but how much is due to the intake is anyone's guess. I see no reason why a well-made intake would ever result in a HP loss.If cost is your sticking point, don't bother with theintake. I personally didn't care about the cost, since I bought my Mach 1 brand new in 2003 and $200-$250 for an intake (in my case a C&L with a slight larger MAF housing) was nothing to me. Logic would say that more air out resulting fromexhaust improvementswouldrequire more air in, via an intake, andresult in a HP gain. A middle of the road approach would be to intall a K&N drop-in filter in place of the stock paper filter, and retain your stock intake ducting, which you have already done. I would say stick with that.

 

Get a JLT ram air intake or cold air intake for like $150 and call it a day

 

I was looken into the jlt ram air. I jsut dont want to spend 150 for nuthin

 

This is what I was planning on doing. I want to get a custom dyno tune done and want an intake as well, but like you have heard that CAIs cause certains unwanted conditions.Since an intakewill netvery little gain without a tune, I am going to wait and put my intake on the day before I get tuned. That way, there won't be any doubt as to hp/tq gains, lean conditions, etc. By itself, you won't feel a difference, although there may be a slightincrease in power. I'd just hold off for now if I were you and do exhaust or gears first.

 

I already got gears and and exhaust, but its only a cat back. i dont want to get headers cause im goin turbo. so headers and a mid pipe are a waste of money.

 

Do your research on JLT before you buy. Reports of warped intake tubes have been posted elsewhere, along with a HP decrease with the ram air version.

 

Will a JLT work with a turbo? I thought turbo and supercharger kits came with custom intakes. If so, you're wasting your money on an intake.

 

I dont have a Mach but a CAI (C&L) on my 5.0 made a nice differnce over a drop-in K&N w/o the silencer. I have read about possibiltiy of leaning it out too much. A CAI seems like they would be a solid addtion with other bolt-ons and a tune. If you dont want a tune,a K&N , no silencer and try taping off the box that branches off the intake tube,( for smooth as possible air flow), and you should be fine.

 

its true, the intake will not work with a turbo. but its taking me a while to save enough up to get my car boosted, so i wouldnt mind puting out 150 if it would give me a few extra ponys in the time it takes to save up.