Since I still pretty new to the game here I asking for advice from the experienced forum member here. From the research I've done it looks like the best performance boost for the money is replacing the factory CAI and getting a custom tune. Since I'm also on a budget is it better to save up and buy both at the same time, or would I see any gain in getting say a SCT Tuner from AM for my factory setup (its an automatic too), then picking up a CAI later and getting an updated tune? Also I have seen very few options for '10 v6 CAI's out there. Any and all advice welcome.

Thanks!

 

You can see a decent gain with a good tune and the stock factory intake. The really effective CAI's require a tune. You'll probably save some coin if you buy the tuner and CAI together as a package though.

 

Save up and get them as a package, if you can. Majority of the better CAIs require a tune anyway, as stated above. You won't really see much of a difference with just a CAI, but at least with just the tuner, the car will be more responsive (better shift points, no throttle lag etc).

The CAI/Tune combo made my car drive completely different, it took me a while to stop squeaking the tires from a dead stop

 

id save up for them both at the same time
i think ull save like at least 100 bucks

 

Like everyone else has said.

 

yea thats def what i'm gonna do u really do save a bunch of money, any1 have a preference of brand of CAI. i'm debating between C&L and possibly spending the extra cash for Steeda?

 

C&L
best looking in my opinion and one of the best performing

 

OK, looks like i need to save up for both. From what I can find JLT or C&L are the only combo options for the 2010 v6. Brenspeed offers the C&L combo and is only about a 4hr drive so I'll probably go that route, assuming I can save up enough by mid-summer to take advantage of it before the snow falls.

Thanks all!

 

Here's the deal. What are your plans for the car. If you are going to continue to add mods like exhaust, blowers, nos, anything performance related, or even bigger rims, etc... Get the CAI and tuner separately. American Muscle offers an SCT tuner with free tunes for life. Well worth the price seeing as when you add something to your car, you tell AM and they write you a custom tune, every time. The CAI and tuner packages will come with one to three pre-loaded tunes that can not be overwritten or customized.

 

I purchased the Airaid CAI first, which does not require a tune. However, once installed it, I did not feel much of a performance difference, maybe (5-7 HP)!! I ended up purchasing the SCT Xcal3 tuner and 3 custom tunes from Brenspeed and WOW, what a huge difference!!
If you decide to get a CAI w/ out a tune, do not expect much performance. If I recall correctly, if you get a tune w/out the CAI and then install a CAI later, you would have to order a new tune specific to the CAI you purchased and then upload the new tune. More added work.
I would recommend purchasing the tuner/CAI combo due to the cost savings. It is well worth the wait!!
Good luck!!