3rd Party CAI's basically useless on 2018+ Mustangs? With or Without tune?

[Bloodham25]

I have a 2022 Mustang GT Premium PP1 I'm looking to mod once we're out of winter.

I've basically read everywhere that getting an CAI from Steeda, JLT, Roush is basically useless because the stock is just great as it is. So my question would be, since I have a 2022, what's the best way to get more HP torque if going with a CAI is just looks and not performance. Can I just get a tune on the stock CAI or does that require a 3rd party CAI than what I have.

The goal is to put a Borla exhaust on the car next year to start and a couple of exterior/interior mods. Then looking to do suspension mods like Steeda's "Stop the Hop kit" etc.

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[EFI]

Yes you can get a tune and nothing else, but it doesn't get you that much power to really be worth the loss of warranty unless you go full E85.

 

[NGOT8R]

^^Yes, tune for E85 for the best bang for your buck.

 

[Bloodham25]

I should mention that I'm in Canada, where E85 is very difficult to come by.

Would most likely just go on a 93 ture.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I would honestly expect to make 2-4 less horsepower with an aftermarket tune with a stock intake and normal 93 octane. Ford puts a lot of development into the engine tuning, and they have huge resources. They're highly motivated to get the most out of the engine safely.

For a tune to start to make sense, you probably need to be swapping out physical parts or changing fuel type (or you need them to adjust some significant variable like raising the RPM limit).

 

[NGOT8R]

I should mention that I'm in Canada, where E85 is very difficult to come by.

Would most likely just go on a 93 ture.

I see. Well in that case, tune for 93, but I still recommend tuning for E85 and Flex as well. It’ll be worth buying a couple of 5 gallon pails, if you can’t find it at a nearby gas station. If it ever becomes more readily available, you’ll be able to switch to the E85 tune and be ready for max performance. You can actually run on the Flex tune the majority of the time and run any combination of 93 and E85.

 

[shogun32]

Ford puts a lot of development into the engine tuning, and they have huge resources. They're highly motivated to get the most out of the engine safely.

and they still suck at it.

Now it may not make "sense" but a 93 tune from Unleashed really woke up the Coyote and it pulled harder and cleaner than the factory tune. Any of the GOOD tuners (that does not include Lund) can do the same thing. No, you won't necessarily get even a single HP but seriously, what's WRONG with you that 460 doesn't suffice? REV the snot out of the motor instead of dogging it below 3000 RPM. If you want more sensation get 3.73/4.09 diff gears.

 

[ice445]

Just get a drop in filter, the stock intake is basically completely optimized on these cars. You lose some filtration but you will pick up the same amount of power an aftermarket intake would get you, lol.

 

[AZ18yote]

Keep stock intake just add a better drop in. If e85 is not an option add some long tubes with a tune to at least get some more out of it.

 

[Bloodham25]

I think the plan is to buy a k&n replacement filter. Get rid of the carbon trap that steals the 10hp and maybe look at getting a new upper grill that's more open and will let in more air.

 

[RagmopInKona]

and they still suck at it.

They have to balance power to not blowing it up, even with a moron behind the wheel. As they warranty it.
The guy that tunes your ride doesn't care if the added power blows up the transmission, or rear, or engine blows up from a missed shift.etc.
I am willing to bet if they would not get roasted for it, and didn't have to offer a warranty and pass epa regulations they could tune them to a c hair of it's life. But they don't have that freedom. The small time tuner does.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

When it comes to cold air intakes, we would suggest pairing it with a tune to get the most out of them. Cold air by itself will net you 5-10 hp gains. We would also suggest that you get a closed air intake as this will keep the IAT temps down. Open-air elements are not favorable as they will heat soak easier and the IATs will go up if you are driving in traffic.

The tune will make the biggest difference over stock for the least amount of money. For under $700 you can get a tuner and a flex tune on your car and it will feel a World of difference over stock. I would highly recommend a tune on the car as a first mod. them an exhaust!

We also have 50 state-legal tunes for the 22 mustangs.

 

[shogun32]

We also have 50 state-legal tunes for the 22 mustangs.

are they SCT-derived devices?

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

are they SCT-derived devices?

No sir, they are our own. We make the device and the software that is able to support several vehicles on the same tuner, and also able to save several log files at one time before you need to pull them off the tuner. It's a touch screen and is really easy to use. I have used a BDX before on my last mustang and I preferred ours over the SCT offering

 

[Zelek]

My IAT's definitely go up on my Mach 1 since it's using the GT350 open air intake. I don't find a problem with it because on a road course you're constantly moving and airflow is never an issue. If drag racing, closed box would be a lot better.

If you're in traffic, you aren't going anywhere so even with high IAT's pulling timing while going 2 mph isn't going to hurt you.

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