[MRV]

I know that the C&L, the JLT and the Steeda, basically, are the most popular intakes, and that all of them (with the possible exception of the C&L with the "no tune" option) require a custom tune. I've tried two of the three now, one with tunes from Brenspeed and the other with tunes from Bamachips. In both cases, I gained some thrust at higher RPMs, but lost a significant amount of low-end torque. That really had a negative impact on real-world driveability (and the car's my daily driver).

At one point in my grand experiment, it was suggested that I should reinstall the factory intake and try some custom tunes for it. I did, and I had the same low-end torque loss. Conclusion: the problem is the tunes, and not the intake.

So... I'm wondering about trying one of the no-tune intakes. My hope is that I can get some of the benefits -- maybe improved throttle response, maybe a little more on top -- without having to pay any of the penalties. I know some of you think highly of the Airaid. It has a removable venturi that, I believe, matches the diameter of the stock MAF housing.

What do you think, Airaid owners? Should I risk $300 on it? It should be less restrictive than the factory intake -- do I need to worry about running too lean?

Thanks in advance...

[MaverickMLFD371]

unfortionately your not going to benefit at all going to a non-tuneable CAI, especially an airaid. they are the stock MAF. I'm surpised you lost low end torque especially on a C&L or a JLT or a steeda (which every of the 2 you say you have out of the 3) on a brenspeed or bamachips tune. did you happen to dyno any of the brenspeed and bamachips tunes with the different intakes??

[MRV]

Originally Posted by MaverickMLFD371 unfortionately your not going to benefit at all going to a non-tuneable CAI, especially an airaid. they are the stock MAF. I'm surpised you lost low end torque especially on a C&L or a JLT or a steeda (which every of the 2 you say you have out of the 3) on a brenspeed or bamachips tune. did you happen to dyno any of the brenspeed and bamachips tunes with the different intakes??

No dyno. But the low-end loss was painfully obvious. Even my wife, as a passenger, noticed it. With the Steeda and custom tune, the car wouldn't accelerate from 2000 RPM in 3rd up a particular hill where it did accelerate with the stock intake and tune.

Any other input?

[07stanggt]

I know what your talking about with low end to an extent. Still I think a tune is the way to go. Have you tried the steeda??????

Here are two that do not require a tune I can get them for you for 5% off that price.


AFE Stage 2 Intake System - Fits 05-08 Mustang GT - StangSuspension.com

MAC Straight Shot Induction System - For 05-08 Mustang GT - StangSuspension.com

[07stanggt]

nevermind just saw your second post. Who is doing your tunes?

not to insult you but why do you want to accerlerate up a hill in third at 2000?

Ford has the car optimzed for low end torq with its stock tune. That was the point of the whole change with 3vs and VCT. Trying to give back some of the low end power that we lost with the OVC engine.

[qwik48r]

i think it has to do with your elevation...

[Monark]

Why don't you get the car dyno tuned? It might be able to correct the problem while you leave in one of these good effective intakes. Rather than buy another one.

[07stanggt]

Oh you know what....you got 3.31s dont you? You want spend more money get some gears and that problem is more then solved.

[qwik48r]

^ YEAH !!! get gears if its an option... put some 4.10's in there.. you be glad you did

[06RedfireGT]

What may be the case is the tune supplier didn't take your altitude into account, so a dyno tune should take care of that.

[MRV]

Yes, I have 3.31s, and I've been toying with the idea of a gear swap for a while now. Still a little hesitant, it being a touchy job to do well, and being fairly pricey as well.

I made it quite clear to both Bama and Brenspeed that I lived at 6,000 feet elevation. They both had every opportunity to optimize the tunes for that.

I don't normally accelerate up hills at 2,000 RPM... it's just reflective of the problem. (And I want to be able to.)

Still no fans of the Airaid willing to come out of the woodwork?

[oldernewbie]

I have an Airaid on my '06 with the venturi in place and stock tune. My car is manual trans. with the 3.55 gears (came that way). I've never dyno'd before or after the install, but an increase in throttle response and lower torque felt obvious. With heavy excelleration I can hear some increase air flow at the intake (sounds similar to a 4 barrel carb). I guess my biggest measureable gain, without a tune, has been about 3 MPG at highway speed.

hope this helps.

[BLACJAC]

older i agree with you its the best mod i put on my car ,its fit and finish is of a high quality, i recommend this cai , everything u said about it is true, after installation u need to drive the car for about 7-10 miles so the computer cycles and adjusts it self then the power kicks in better throttle responce ,more torque and h.p. u can feel ,yes MRV u will be very happy with this unit but if u already have a jlt with the tune thats the way to go , u can remove mvt on the airaid with a tune ,but if u already have the jlt ,with the tune i send the tune back for corrections!!!i older i had a 1971 340 duster my last yr of high school , then i traded it for a 1971 454 corvette

[MRV]

Originally Posted by oldernewbie I have an Airaid on my '06 with the venturi in place and stock tune. My car is manual trans. with the 3.55 gears (came that way). I've never dyno'd before or after the install, but an increase in throttle response and lower torque felt obvious. With heavy excelleration I can hear some increase air flow at the intake (sounds similar to a 4 barrel carb). I guess my biggest measureable gain, without a tune, has been about 3 MPG at highway speed. hope this helps.

Thanks, older ...having done some searches, I wondered if I might hear from you.

I think I'll try the Airaid and see what happens. At worst, I may have to eBay it.

What an adventure this Great Intake Quest has been!

(BLACJAC, I haven't tried the JLT -- I tried the Steeda then the C&L. I doubt that the outcome with the JLT would be much more satisfactory than my experiences with the Steeda or the C&L. But I really shouldn't blame the hardware. It's clear from my experience with the stock intake and custom tunes for it that the problem -- for this car, anyway -- has been the custom tunes, not the intakes. I just need one that won't have me running too lean with the factory tune.)

Thanks to everbody who contributed their thoughts and experiences!

[MaverickMLFD371]

your better off just getting the tune taken care of, its no sense in speding more $$$ on a cold air intake thats not going to give you the results you want.

[MRV]

Originally Posted by MaverickMLFD371 your better off just getting the tune taken care of, its no sense in speding more $$$ on a cold air intake thats not going to give you the results you want.

Brenspeed gave it a shot... I told them about the problem, and they suggested it was the Steeda's larger MAF housing... had me go back to the stock intake and e-mailed me tunes for it... the problem persisted.

Maybe it's just this car(?) ...I dunno...

[MaverickMLFD371]

did you try doug @ bamachips?

[TheUNZippee!]

I have the Airaid & a 93 race tune from Bamachips. I noticed a power increase across the board, particularly noticeable when I roll in to it gently in 5th gear at, say, 70 mph to pass someone on the hwy. It's much more torquey than when it was stock.

[MRV]

Originally Posted by MaverickMLFD371 did you try doug @ bamachips?

I did, with the C&L. The low-end loss wasn't quite as severe as it was with the Steeda & Brenspeed tunes, but it was with the Bama/C&L combo that my wife noticed the problem as a passenger. It was pretty obvious.

[07stanggt]

Interesting.

MM&FF did an article on cai's. They tested them at a drag strip. With no tunes, just cai swaps. on average they shaved 1/10 off 1/4 miles times. So it is clear that they alone can make a difference in performance, better flow, cooler air inlet temps, it's not hard to beleive.

Another thing you could try is the 91 frpp recal since you already have the steeda cai. You will not feel that low end power loss with that tune. I have talked about that in other threads. I beleive Ford sells the recalibration tool for $150? i cant remember.

I suggest that becuase you have two perfectly good cai's already. The steeda cai is the probably the best on the market. Best flow, except for the racer, coldest air inlet temp and quality material. Just cost more then the others... on both ends but the best none the less.

The loss of power down low is real. Look at my dyno you can see it. And i noticed it driveing the car was well, search my threads and I spoke about it. But it wasnt as dramatic as what your describeing. But then again I never had 3.31s. If I were you somewhere along the road I would have had some power pulls the get an a/f.

Either way gears to me would be a better option then trying your third CAI. The acceleration issue will be gone and then you can enjoy the top end power gains of your tunes. All told it might cost you $600, but its a garunteed fix.

These cars like higher rpms period, this isnt a pushrod V8.

Good luck my man.