DO I Really Need a CAI?

[AXO]

I am about to pull the trigger on a CAI and Tune. 2016 GT 401a with MBRP Street catback & K&N drop-in air filter. My car is street driven.

Does a CAI really give you any significant performance gains combined with a tune. Everything I have read indicated higher ambienent temps with a CAI. I live in South Florida were the heat is Ridiculously hot. I know Ford engineered a decent airbox. I am currently running a K&N drop-in filter. Will my gains be noticeably better with a CAI?

I am leaning towards a Lund tuner.

Thanks in Advance, Jeff

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[texasboy21]

Couple of HP at most.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Since you've got a K&N, and you're right about the OEM box being nicely heat isolated, if you want a little more improvement, pick up an intake tube (like a Mishimoto, there's a few used on here).

It improves the flow a bit, "deletes" all the sound tube mess (looks great too), 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of some CIAs, and uses the stock box. A few of us have done this:

- drop in filter
- Mishi intake tube
- removed carbon filter from airbox (some have dremeled it "cleaner")
- added Velossa Tech intake ducts

And that doesn't created any additional IATs idling around town for me (North FL), in fact, they're occasionally lower (probably the ducts isolating the intake air a little better)

 

[bootlegger]

The best ones give you 5-10hp max. If you are looking to squeeze every little bit of power out, I guess you can justify it. For a bit more cash you can get headers, which are worth more like 15hp. Since you have a 16, the money would be better spent on a tune and a 2018 IM.

 

[AXO]

Since you've got a K&N, and you're right about the OEM box being nicely heat isolated, if you want a little more improvement, pick up an intake tube (like a Mishimoto, there's a few used on here).

It improves the flow a bit, "deletes" all the sound tube mess (looks great too), 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of some CIAs, and uses the stock box. A few of us have done this:

- drop in filter
- Mishi intake tube
- removed carbon filter from airbox (some have dremeled it "cleaner")
- added Velossa Tech intake ducts

And that doesn't created any additional IATs idling around town for me (North FL), in fact, they're occasionally lower (probably the ducts isolating the intake air a little better)

Thanks, I will most likely go this route!

 

[SVT-DADDY]

Since you've got a K&N, and you're right about the OEM box being nicely heat isolated, if you want a little more improvement, pick up an intake tube (like a Mishimoto, there's a few used on here).

It improves the flow a bit, "deletes" all the sound tube mess (looks great too), 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of some CIAs, and uses the stock box. A few of us have done this:

- drop in filter
- Mishi intake tube
- removed carbon filter from airbox (some have dremeled it "cleaner")
- added Velossa Tech intake ducts

And that doesn't created any additional IATs idling around town for me (North FL), in fact, they're occasionally lower (probably the ducts isolating the intake air a little better)

I'd put this set up against any aftermarket CAI!

 

[AXO]

Thanks Bootlegger. I plan on installing a set of long tube headers with CAT deletes sometime in the future. I know this is the best bet for HP/TQ increases. MY 16 is almost paid for, so an 18 is out of the question.

 

[bootlegger]

Thanks Bootlegger. I plan on installing a set of long tube headers with CAT deletes sometime in the future. I know this is the best bet for HP/TQ increases. MY 16 is almost paid for, so an 18 is out of the question.

18 IM = 18 Intake Manifold. It’s a simple swap, and provides nice gains with a tune. Someone had done dyno comparisons, and found that a ported 18 IM was similar to the expensive cobra jet IM in power increase.

 

[ypena02]

Thanks, I will most likely go this route!

@AXO I will have a Mishi intake tube(black) and k&n drop-in filter later this week, only used for a few months. Going boost so longer needed. PM me if interested!

 

[stangman638]

Couple HP at most is being generous... Gives your ride a throatier sound.. Tuner may be able to make a little more power with it, but don't expect the ridiculous claims made by sites like AM saying your going to get +30 and change from one..

 

[Theisland]

Has anyone done a 2018 intake manifold with a oem 2015 GT intake? And produced the same results as 2018 manifold with cai?

 

[sw686blue]

Save your money.

 

[texasboy21]

Has anyone done a 2018 intake manifold with a oem 2015 GT intake? And produced the same results as 2018 manifold with cai?

One thing to note, the stock intake tube on the 2018s is considerably larger than the 2015-2017s. 108mm? 112mm? something like that, which is on par with the aftermarket offerings.

I like the idea of a 2015-2017 with a 2018 intake manifold, intake tube, and airbox. Should be a nice OEM+ upgrade.

 

[Theisland]

^I had the same thoughts as well

 

[JaxS550]

I wasted my money getting a non-tune CAI. Doing it all over again I would only have bought a tune required CAI, that is what I have now and it made a difference.

If you dont want to tune the car I would just get a better drop in filter like the K&N.

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