[peeties]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this and just bought my mustang. I am looking at getting a cold air intake but isn't the purpose of a true cold air intake to lead to the outside of you car otherwise it would just be doing the same as the regular intake by taking in hot air in the engine compartment? I am looking at the cold air intakes and it doesn't seem like it would be running to the outside of the car. Sorry if this is a stupid question but anyone who has one can you let me know what kind and if it does actually grab cold air?

[BML99]

The two common designs for CAIs for these cars are the fenderwell style

(such as: BBK Mustang Cold Air Intake (96-04 GT) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! )

Which is very similarly designed to the stock intake, and the benefits are minimal unless you really dig the sound of air being sucked in that you can hear.

The other design is a RAI, or ram air intake, where the filter is still inside the compartment.

(Such as: Airaid Mustang Cold Air Intake System (99-04 GT) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!)

While I do not have personal experience with these, the difference in them only seems to be personal preference (though I have heard temps can run a slight amount hotter with ram air intakes.) with the location of the filter.


It is a lot, lot, easier to get at the filter with the ram-air style IMO.

Either way though, the recommended budget mod with the same amount of performance gains is to just replace the stock air filter with a drop in (typically K&N branded) filter in the stock intake.

The main reason people get them is to make the engine area look purdy. I bought one on my 1996 v6 before I knew the benefits were minimal and if my 04 GT had not come with one already, I probably would not be purchasing one for it.

Good luck though, and welcome!

[peeties]

Thank you so much especially for such a fast reply. I have a 2005 gt. Is there any that are made to go to like the lower end of the car like by the lower fog lights to just pull air in from the outside like a true cold air intake?

[BML99]

Hmm, that I am not sure of. I'm sure it's possible but the application could be a bit home-brew.

I didn't know what year you had, with S197s (05-10), some aftermarket intakes require a tune to properly run, for this reason places like Americanmuscle.com often have "bundles" that include an intake with a handheld tuner.

(Such as: Ford Racing CAI & SF3 Tuner (05-09 V6) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! - V6 )
(Such as: Ford Racing CAI & SF3 Tuner (05-09 GT) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! - GT )

I believe this has to do with the electronics behind the newer model vehicles, etc.

I would highly recommend a handheld tuner regardless, as they are really nifty to have.

The S197s will respond a LOT better to a new intake + tune as well, I have heard some pretty nice stories from other members, so it is a much more worthwhile mod for you, having an 05.

Also, if you are on an automatic trans you will notice drastically improved shift points + firmness with a handheld tuner.

Since you are new and just getting into the mod world with Stangs, etc. I think a very good starting point for you would be an intake + tuner kit. The intake is a very simple install so if you are new to working on cars it will ease you into it, then learning the upload the tunes (super easy) would be a neat thing for you too, as it was for me.

For extra and more specific info, the guys who frequent our 2005-2010 Modular section are great, and filled with info.

Here's the link to the 05-10 section: 2005 - 2010 Forum

I hope that's a decent amount of starting point info for you, haha.

Should start you off well!

[peeties]

Thank you very much for your help I really appreciate it. I am new to the mustangs but I have worked on cars quite a bit but just for repairing them. I will definitely look into those kit. Thanks again!

[BML99]

No problem at all, hope it helps. In that case the install will be all of 2 minutes.

I'd be willing to bet that someone in the 05 section who is a more serious racer has an intake application like what you described originally, and should have some sort of info on how to concoct it.

Welcome again and good luck!