Rousch CAI or ?

[20ducks]

This may be my only performance mod for the next year or so. I'm completely lost as to what will be the best CAI for my 5.0 liter intake. Sometime down the road, I may get an engine/tranny tune but I didn't buy the car to get low 10's at the drag strip. So whaddya think about a CAI for a brand new GT Premium Auto trans vehicle? If all things being equal I like the appearance of the Rousch CAI. Opinions?

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[Rapid Red]

Me I say yes, like what it did for my car. To get the most out of it suggest the L1 & CIA.

Obviously you are looking for some performance, otherwise you would settle for the K&N replacement for the stock filter element.

Here are the 2 side by side, guess which one is stock> LOL

Car just turned over 1k on the od

 

[Bikeman315]

This may be my only performance mod for the next year or so. I'm completely lost as to what will be the best CAI for my 5.0 liter intake. Sometime down the road, I may get an engine/tranny tune but I didn't buy the car to get low 10's at the drag strip. So whaddya think about a CAI for a brand new GT Premium Auto trans vehicle? If all things being equal I like the appearance of the Rousch CAI. Opinions?

If your looking for performance gains getting a CAI without a tune is not going to do it. If you are going after looks, great. The Roush looks great. Otherwise save your money.

 

[Rapid Red]

And what do you base that on, may I ask. Even a simple swap of the stock filter with the K&N replacement will produce a difference.

 

[Bikeman315]

And what do you base that on, may I ask. Even a simple swap of the stock filter will produce a difference.

Five years of reading threads on CAI’s. Yes, there might be a small performance bump but realistically not enough to warrant the cost. Without knowing the OP’s expectations it’s better to let him know up front what to expect. Same goes with aftermarket filters. Some swear by them, most believe, including myself, the performance increase is minimal at best but for $50 it’s worth it.

You have one and based on your comments feel it was a worthwhile purchase. That’s great, enjoy it. But for someone making a single performance upgrade there are better ways for OP to spend his money.

 

[20ducks]

The L1 won't fit my 2020 GT Premium....the correct part number is Rousch 422086 and is, most likely, the one I will purchase.

 

[Cobra Jet]

While the ROUSH Performance intake is nice, it’s just HUGE and takes up a lot of under hood real estate.

Many of the threads on here continue to state the stock air box with a better than paper filter has been proven to be more effective than most $300+ aftermarket CAI’s.

Personally, I’d go gears and exhaust first over a CAI if you’re looking for some minor performance gains.

 

[Ebm]

This may be my only performance mod for the next year or so. I'm completely lost as to what will be the best CAI for my 5.0 liter intake. Sometime down the road, I may get an engine/tranny tune but I didn't buy the car to get low 10's at the drag strip. So whaddya think about a CAI for a brand new GT Premium Auto trans vehicle? If all things being equal I like the appearance of the Rousch CAI. Opinions?

For looks, JLT or Roush is fine. For performance per dollar, stick to your factory intake.

 

[Jmtoast]

My SC kit came with the enclosed Roush cai. As far as sound you will hear a difference but in regards to performance you will not unless you add some more performance (headers, tune, exhaust and etc) mods. And if you do I personally would look at an enclosed cai.

 

[txpat3]

I went with the PMAS intake and have no gripes thus far. However, I tuned it at the same time so I can definitely feel the difference from stock.

 

[Sigma6]

Get a dry drop in aftermarket filter only and move onto exhaust ;)

 

[Strokerswild]

I've got a Roush (open top) on my '15, no regrets several years in. The cool thing about them is they utilize a removable MAF insert, so if you want to stay stock you leave the insert in place, and when it's time for a tune, pull the insert out.

Personally, I chose the Roush primarily for its OEM-like appearance. Some of the others look like something a local farmer cobbled together while out boozing in the barn. Since mine is open the inlet temp will creep at a light, but the main filter housing sits partially under the hood vent, so it cools down quickly to only a couple degrees above ambient when moving.

Actual performance improvement is debatable, but Roush claims an increase. The only other open-top unit I would have considered is the GT350 unit, but I had my Roush long before that existed.

 

[bergdon]

PMAS, JLT, Steeda and Cobb are some of the popular cold air intake kits. Just don't expect a tremendous performance gain if you don't get a tune. Currently, I have the stock intake but with an AEM dry filter. Power is still the same and no heat issues whatsoever.

 

[Rapid Red]

Five years of reading threads on CAI’s. Yes, there might be a small performance bump but realistically not enough to warrant the cost. Without knowing the OP’s expectations it’s better to let him know up front what to expect. Same goes with aftermarket filters. Some swear by them, most believe, including myself, the performance increase is minimal at best but for $50 it’s worth it.

You have one and based on your comments feel it was a worthwhile purchase. That’s great, enjoy it. But for someone making a single performance upgrade there are better ways for OP to spend his money.

Not to be snarky, while you're reading for 5 years. For more than 5 years have been using and installing, K&N filters. Using that as a reference, cause all these have K&N dna.

What's new, is the box and ram tube, of course. A simple carburetor and intake benefit with the K&N designs.

Do they blow the rear tires off no, is there a seat of the pants & noticeable throttle response absolutely.

50 bucks, have no idea what is available. Unless you're referring to a K&N drop in replacement over a stock paper element.

I will wager that exhaust system mods. That I'm picking up on, as the alternative here. Will not be as cost affective. Considering the labor and installation cost, when adding parts for the owner.
Nothing also @ 1k CIA & tune, produces 25hp RW, 18lb torque, owner installed, becomes pretty inviting.

 

[oneheadlite]

Didn't mishimoto have a thread on here about how
much gain hp wise by using there CAI?

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