[Indybird]

Well after a few weeks of lurking, I decided to finally register for an account here. The final push to register here was that I have a pretty basic (but very important) question for you guys. Before I get to that, I gotta let you know that I am very, very new to cars in general (just got mah 'stang back in early Sept. just in time for college) so please excuse any newbie comments or questions I might pose. Now that the pleasantries are over, here's my question.

My Mustang is in need of a new air filter, partly because this one is old, partly because I'm looking for a small boost in power and partly because I desperately need better mpg. After doing a little research and/or googling im split between two options:
>Getting the American Muscle Cold Air Intake Kit for $75
-or-
>Just buying a performance air filter

The thing is my budget is <$100 so as far as I've seen I can't really get much of a better CAI kit.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks,
Indybird

[Seabee]

Personally if your on a budget just get a new filter. I wouldnt buy the AM one, its not that great really, if you want cheap tho then you get what you pay for ya know. Save some money for a good intake.


Oh and welcome

[GreenFaleen]

a CAI is a CAI go as cheap as you can really, IDk if ebay has them still but they used to have decent ones for around 30 bucks, if anything get a generic cotton cone filter like a K&N cut take off your air box and attach it to the MAF housing.

[Zatrekaz]

The only Air Intakes that will give you any form of performence upgrade (if you consider it an upgrade) will be the higher end lines such as K&N ect. They cost alot more than $100.

The AM CAI is good for the price. I have one in my car. Will you get a huge performence boost? No. Will you get a huge performence boost with a K&N? No, but better than the AM CAI.

It really comes down to this: Do you want a stock replacement or a aftermarket replacement that looks better and makes the intake sound better as well?


To the forums !

[00BlueMustang]

In all reality you can do what GreenFaleen said or if you want a nice shiny inlet tube just get the AM one. And welcome to MM

[Indybird]

First, thanks for all the welcomes and quick replies.

Originally Posted by GreenFaleen a CAI is a CAI go as cheap as you can really, IDk if ebay has them still but they used to have decent ones for around 30 bucks, if anything get a generic cotton cone filter like a K&N cut take off your air box and attach it to the MAF housing.

How exactly would I do this? I might need more detailed instructions Thanks.

Originally Posted by Zatrekaz The only Air Intakes that will give you any form of performence upgrade (if you consider it an upgrade) will be the higher end lines such as K&N ect. They cost alot more than $100. The AM CAI is good for the price. I have one in my car. Will you get a huge performence boost? No. Will you get a huge performence boost with a K&N? No, but better than the AM CAI. It really comes down to this: Do you want a stock replacement or a aftermarket replacement that looks better and makes the intake sound better as well? To the forums !

I'm not really too worried about the looks or sound of the air-intake, and I'm also not really expecting huge boosts. I'm more looking for the best performing option for under $100. Either way I do need to get something right now as my filter is pretty old. Does that info help in your recommendation? Also thanks.

-Indybird

[BOSS246]

Welcome to MM forum. Try these links, should come with instructions
1999-2003 FORD MUSTANG 3.8 V6 COLD AIR INTAKE 2001 2002:eBay Motors (item 230383294756 end time Oct-07-09 15:36:12 PDT)


Bomz Racing Cold Air Intake 2002 2003 2004 Mustang V6:eBay Motors (item 200375948442 end time Oct-20-09 21:49:43 PDT)

[v606er]

you could always try cleaning the one you have...its free. Not the best solution, but its a possible fix.



************mildly related note- are TB spacers worth the 70 or 80$ ? will it do squat?

[Indybird]

Originally Posted by v606er you could always try cleaning the one you have...its free. Not the best solution, but its a possible fix.

I would clean but I do have the money to spend (albeit not a whole lot), and I was perhaps looking for a slight upgrade from stock parts.

Originally Posted by BOSS246 Welcome to MM forum. Try these links, should come with instructions 1999-2003 FORD MUSTANG 3.8 V6 COLD AIR INTAKE 2001 2002:eBay Motors (item 230383294756 end time Oct-07-09 15:36:12 PDT) Bomz Racing Cold Air Intake 2002 2003 2004 Mustang V6:eBay Motors (item 200375948442 end time Oct-20-09 21:49:43 PDT)

Is Bomz racing pretty decent quality?

Thanks,
Indybird

[BOSS246]

Nothing that cheap is pretty good quality. It is likely cheap. In 6 months you will probably
have to replace the filter. The option Green said above is probably better.
Buy a K & N filter, unscrew the filter housing, pitch it. Use a hack saw, or a razor knife,
cut the plastic tube in front of where the electric wire comes out. Clamp filter to tube.
K & N filter will probably cost more than EBAY whole set up. Tells you about their quality.

[BOSS246]

v606er, PM coming

[v606er]

Originally Posted by BOSS246 v606er, PM coming

thanks bud. i didn't want to start a thread about something so small.

[6er_w/a_Vengance]

Originally Posted by BOSS246 Nothing that cheap is pretty good quality. It is likely cheap. In 6 months you will probably have to replace the filter. The option Green said above is probably better. Buy a K & N filter, unscrew the filter housing, pitch it. Use a hack saw, or a razor knife, cut the plastic tube in front of where the electric wire comes out. Clamp filter to tube. K & N filter will probably cost more than EBAY whole set up. Tells you about their quality.

i wish there was a palm over face emoticon i could use right now...all he has to do is replace the stock paper filter with a cotton fiber style one (i used K&N...$45 at Advance Auto)...oh and to be fancy just have him remove the rubber silencer next to the air box going into the fender...the way you mentioned would look like poo...and would be kinda impossible since the "electrical wires" are inside the filter housing in the new edge model...that is because the housing holds the filter and MAS...

[v606er]

vengance, are tb spacers worth the 65$ or are they not even worth a natty light?

[6er_w/a_Vengance]

Originally Posted by v606er vengance, are tb spacers worth the 65$ or are they not even worth a natty light?

not on a stock v6 they aren't...at least on our models...i know the s197s tend to take to the small things better though...but i wouldn't see how even then for a stock v6 it would be worth it...

[Indybird]

Originally Posted by BOSS246 Nothing that cheap is pretty good quality. It is likely cheap. In 6 months you will probably have to replace the filter. The option Green said above is probably better. Buy a K & N filter, unscrew the filter housing, pitch it. Use a hack saw, or a razor knife, cut the plastic tube in front of where the electric wire comes out. Clamp filter to tube. K & N filter will probably cost more than EBAY whole set up. Tells you about their quality.

Alright, I'll probably end up doing that.

Should I use a K & N "Mustang" Filter such as this one, or is there a better filter you recommend?

Thanks,
Indybird

EDIT: I took so long typing this I missed Vengeance's post; by the sounds of that I should perhaps just replace the filter?

[BOSS246]

Hey, 6er, he said he was really new to cars and to stangs. After GreenFaleens post he asked for instructions. You are right, in might look like shit.
Indybird, I used that same filter on my '03 for a couple years when I first got it. It worked good while I saved for something better. I swear I could hear a difference when I punched it.

[Indybird]

Originally Posted by BOSS246 Hey, 6er, he said he was really new to cars and to stangs. After GreenFaleens post he asked for instructions. You are right, in might look like shit. Indybird, I used that same filter on my '03 for a couple years when I first got it. It worked good while I saved for something better. I swear I could hear a difference when I punched it.

Alright so for now I'm just going to get the K&N Air Filter and install it completely normally.

If I have a quality filter such as this, is it still worth the extra $200 for the whole Cold Air intake?

Thanks again for all the help,
Indybird

[BlackedOut04GT]

One site for mustang parts on a budget. Craigslist.com I got some really good deals on my rims, mid pipe, cat back, shifter, tuner, some chrome parts for inside, throttle body, and subframes. Just check around to see what things are going for and make sure to have the money ready to go when you find what you want. Things go fast on CL, well some stuff.

[00BlueMustang]

Originally Posted by Indybird Alright so for now I'm just going to get the K&N Air Filter and install it completely normally. If I have a quality filter such as this, is it still worth the extra $200 for the whole Cold Air intake? Thanks again for all the help, Indybird

You can get a American Muscle cold air intake for $75
The only thing different between a drop in filter and a cai intake is the nice, shiny inlet tube