To CAI or not?

[BOOSTED-SVO]

I understand a complete CAI look and sound awesome under the hood but I don't really drive with my hood up lol. What is the situation as far as CAI for this specific vehicle? It look like Ford actually did a great job with the stock intake. I was really just thinking about throwing in a high flow drop in filter and call it a day but, if we (actually the tuner) can extract more power with an actual aftermarket complete CAI than I might have to reconsider. If anyone who went through this already can shine a better light on it than I would really appreciate it. CAI or not?

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[EcoSwag1990]

If you want an Airaid CAI I still have one brand new, never installed for $230 + shipping. I'll be in Baltimore next week actually ;)

I just listed it on eBay yesterday

The CAI is good for a few horses but it's not exactly a power mod, I mainly had one for sound.

 

[BOOSTED-SVO]

If you want an Airaid CAI I still have one brand new, never installed for $230 + shipping. I'll be in Baltimore next week actually ;)

I just listed it on eBay yesterday

The CAI is good for a few horses but it's not exactly a power mod, I mainly had one for sound.

Isn't airaid really almost like our factory intake with high flow cone filter? TBH I really just wanted to get a CAI for the sound and under hood coolness lol, but after the catless DP and full cat back goes on I don't even think under the hood noise will matter much. So now I'm just basically deciding on gains rather than sound and looks. I'll def keep you in mind tho..thanks.

 

[Gst95dsm]

For me, having had turbo cars in the past it just doesn't seem right when you can't hear the turbo and blow off while driving! The sounds a turbo car makes are just plain cool! The intake let's all that music out.....

 

[illeagle]

I am interested in this as well. Wasn't there a document floating around that showed all the intakes on the market and which one performed the best? I am going to purchase one here soon too but I am not sure which would be the best.

 

[EcoSwag1990]

It was a post by Tune+

 

[bbrilli]

I had a MAP CAI. It made nice noises but here in Sunny FLA the intake temps were really hot in the summertime when I was in traffic. They drop when you are moving but stoplight to stoplight was pushing 140 before the IC. Charge temps were really high too because there wasn't much airflow before the next light. US 19 in Pinellas county sucks.

The stock box flows pretty well with a drop in filter and the temps were cooler.

I see you are in Balmer so it won't be as much of a concern but I was going to switch back to stock this summer.

Either way there is not much power to be had with a CAI.

Check out some Tune+ threads. Adam Brunson is the local guru, read what he has to say about them.

 

[illeagle]

I would think that once you upgrade turbos, a CAI would become more beneficial. I am waiting on my Vargas S2 right now.

 

[Busser48]

Isn't airaid really almost like our factory intake with high flow cone filter? TBH I really just wanted to get a CAI for the sound and under hood coolness lol, but after the catless DP and full cat back goes on I don't even think under the hood noise will matter much. So now I'm just basically deciding on gains rather than sound and looks. I'll def keep you in mind tho..thanks.

Ok so head is the deal, I am one of these people who was against a CAI. I added every bolt on possible except that. I finally caved and ordered the JLT. I don't care what anyone says. There is 100% an absolute difference, I notice it. Plus just the turbo spook sound alone with my quiet exhaust is worth it. It may not be huge gains with no supporting mods, but if you add it after everything else, it just makes it crisper and more responsive and it does add some HP and TQ

 

[BOOSTED-SVO]

I actually only used JLT intake on all of my previous stangs(11 and 13 5.0) I even purchased another JLT intake not too long ago for my EB but sold it before even trying it out due to some situation at that time, crazy right? Lol. So after doing some old post searches and reading I'm pretty much getting the conclusion that unless bigger snail is in plan or under the hood already an aftermarket CAI(for 2.3T ebm specifically) is pretty much just a noise maker and under hood jewelry rather than its considered a money worth power adder. From what I been reading so far our stock intake actually seem to be do a pretty good job and well designed. I guess I'll talk to whoever is going to tune my car more about it which atm it look like it will be adam@tune+ or alex@stratified if he ever ever get back to me [MENTION=23272]Bugasu[/MENTION] *cough*

Ok so head is the deal, I am one of these people who was against a CAI. I added every bolt on possible except that. I finally caved and ordered the JLT. I don't care what anyone says. There is 100% an absolute difference, I notice it. Plus just the turbo spook sound alone with my quiet exhaust is worth it. It may not be huge gains with no supporting mods, but if you add it after everything else, it just makes it crisper and more responsive and it does add some HP and TQ

 

[Busser48]

I actually only used JLT intake on all of my previous stangs(11 and 13 5.0) I even purchased another JLT intake not too long ago for my EB but sold it before even trying it out due to some situation at that time, crazy right? Lol. So after doing some old post searches and reading I'm pretty much getting the conclusion that unless bigger snail is in plan or under the hood already an aftermarket CAI(for 2.3T ebm specifically) is pretty much just a noise maker and under hood jewelry rather than its considered a money worth power adder. From what I been reading so far our stock intake actually seem to be do a pretty good job and well designed. I guess I'll talk to whoever is going to tune my car more about it which atm it look like it will be adam@tune+ or alex@stratified if he ever ever get back to me [MENTION=23272]Bugasu[/MENTION] *cough*

Adam at tune plus no questions asked

 

[BOOSTED-SVO]

Adam at tune plus no questions asked

Yeup! Look like I will be dealing with Adam for the tuning. Everywhere I look on here I can't seem to get away from the name Adam when it come to ebm lol. I mean.. don't get me wrong, I love it! This mean he is involved and active. I think lots of vendors these days forget that relationship and involvement with your fellow forum member is more important than the product itself you are selling sometimes. I will definitely be hitting up a tuner as soon as all parts get to me but right now it look like Adam is it. My other option would of been Torrie if I had sct. I dealt with him when I had my ST and I had no complaints. Very knowledgeable guy.

 

[AR306]

I heard 1 CAI on youtube back when the EB's first came out and was sold instantly. I think by far the MMR is the best sounding and one of the best looking... however, I dunno if it's the best performance wise.

I feel like the car runs a little better all around with the stock box but pulls a little harder down low with the MMR.. I dunno if I'm full of it but I feel like the MMR causes the car to hang a bit high in the revs going into the next gear, feels smoother and stronger with the stock box.. at least to me.

But the MMR lets me squeal the tires at every take off without brake boosting.. and then there's the awesome sounds.. sure do love that Lol.

 

[Busser48]

I heard 1 CAI on youtube back when the EB's first came out and was sold instantly. I think by far the MMR is the best sounding and one of the best looking... however, I dunno if it's the best performance wise.

I feel like the car runs a little better all around with the stock box but pulls a little harder down low with the MMR.. I dunno if I'm full of it but I feel like the MMR causes the car to hang a bit high in the revs going into the next gear, feels smoother and stronger with the stock box.. at least to me.

But the MMR lets me squeal the tires at every take off without brake boosting.. and then there's the awesome sounds.. sure do love that Lol.

But you hate your car...........

 

[AR306]

But you hate your car...........

No, I never said that.. I've said several times I love the car.. don't particularly care for the drivetrain tho.

I wanted a manual GT and settled for an automatic EB purely because of insurance rates.. I've said that a million times over. This thing isn't my cup of tea.. I messed up by getting it, but I do like Evo's and Supras so I don't mind hearing turbo sounds from my car.. just would rather hear a roaring Coyote instead..

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