Need help deciding: Roush vs Steeda CAI

[vincentjm]

Hi!

I know that a cold air intake isn't gonna do much in terms of performance.

But anyways, which one would you go for and why?

I will get a custom tune with either of them. I like the red filter, but prefer the housing of Steeda's offering.


Cheers!

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[Nagare]

PMAS or the Steeda closed box, they're the top two performers afaik

 

[AZ18yote]

Between those 2 I would say Steeda with the larger maf. Tune for no insert (with insert requires separate tune)

That said if you are considering a flex tune the Steeda closed box will not work correctly due to the design causing maf turbulence and idle variation. Not conducive for flex. Smoothest maf signal would be OEM 18 which should be considered as well since you're coming from a 15. But if planning to run straight e85 (not flex tune) or straight 93/91 then Steeda is fine.

Consider MY18 though with flex tune if e85 is available near you.

 

[DuRsT]

Why a CAI? Popular consensus is to stick with the stock air box.

 

[AZ18yote]

Why a CAI? Popular consensus is to stick with the stock air box.

On the pre 18 models there was room for improvements but agree for the most part. OP was asking between the 2 options so was providing info. Was also suggesting looking at the stock 18 setup for their 15.

 

[DuRsT]

On the pre 18 models there was room for improvements but agree for the most part. OP was asking between the 2 options so was providing info. Was also suggesting looking at the stock 18 setup for their 15.

Fair enough, I don’t know much about the pre-18 models so I can’t speak to that.

What I do know from years of modding is that most of the time CAI’s are pretty much a waste of money in my opinion.

 

[vincentjm]

What I do know from years of modding is that most of the time CAI’s are pretty much a waste of money in my opinion.

I agree with you there. If I’m being honest, it’s mostly the looks that I’m after. I’m not huge on engine mods, but a clean CAI with some nice looking coil covers just looks nice.

 

[BmacIL]

I agree with you there. If I’m being honest, it’s mostly the looks that I’m after. I’m not huge on engine mods, but a clean CAI with some nice looking coil covers just looks nice.

GT350 CAI.

 

[tj@steeda]

You can always oil the filter red

TJ

 

[bootlegger]

Fair enough, I don’t know much about the pre-18 models so I can’t speak to that.

What I do know from years of modding is that most of the time CAI’s are pretty much a waste of money in my opinion.

Not for the old hot-intake cars or turbo cars. They are worth quite a bit of power on our BMW. With the 2018+, there may be a few hp to gain, but you are competing with rising intake temps if you go with an open design. I would personally like an aluminum housing with a larger pipe and MAF opening (JLT style), only mated to a closed box and high flow filter. I still need to work on a closed box for the JLT.

 

[Zelek]

Not for the old hot-intake cars or turbo cars. They are worth quite a bit of power on our BMW. With the 2018+, there may be a few hp to gain, but you are competing with rising intake temps if you go with an open design. I would personally like an aluminum housing with a larger pipe and MAF opening (JLT style), only mated to a closed box and high flow filter. I still need to work on a closed box for the JLT.

I'm installing this one tomorrow. Just waiting on my tune file to get back to me for a revision. It's got an aluminum housing, tube, and stainless steel airbox.

 

[DuRsT]

Not for the old hot-intake cars or turbo cars. They are worth quite a bit of power on our BMW. With the 2018+, there may be a few hp to gain, but you are competing with rising intake temps if you go with an open design. I would personally like an aluminum housing with a larger pipe and MAF opening (JLT style), only mated to a closed box and high flow filter. I still need to work on a closed box for the JLT.

See my comment “most of the time” and it certainly doesn’t include FI cars. That’s an entirely different ballgame.

 

[bootlegger]

I'm installing this one tomorrow. Just waiting on my tune file to get back to me for a revision. It's got an aluminum housing, tube, and stainless steel airbox.

That is the best looking one, for sure. However, I read somewhere that the pipe/MAF diameter is smaller than the JLT. So it would not flow quite as well.

 

[Zelek]

That is the best looking one, for sure. However, I read somewhere that the pipe/MAF diameter is smaller than the JLT. So it would not flow quite as well.

It's 110 mm. It's the same as the 15-17 JLT.

 

[BmacIL]

It's 110 mm. It's the same as the 15-17 JLT.

Interested to see how it fits with your 18 manifold.

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