Steeda CAI Review and Install Notes:

[Evolvd]

yeah I left my soundtube in because it looked like too much hassle to do it correctly...and I don't like to half-ass installs on my car.

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[Sasuketr]

www.*******************/2015/03/12/tech-steeda-2015-mustang-cai-install

Has anyone seen this article? Svt tested the steeda intake and gained only 10 hp/ 8 lbft without a tune! There is a contradiction in the results! 22 vs 10 hp is a big difference. 10 hp seems more reasonable since Roush and other intakes give similar results without the tune. :shrug:

 

[Wally-Bob]

www.*******************/2015/03/12/tech-steeda-2015-mustang-cai-install

Has anyone seen this article? Svt tested the steeda intake and gained only 10 hp/ 8 lbft without a tune! There is a contradiction in the results! 22 vs 10 hp is a big difference. 10 hp seems more reasonable since Roush and other intakes give similar results without the tune. :shrug:

From the article http://www.*******************/2015/03/12/tech-steeda-2015-mustang-cai-install/

“Adding the Pro Flow cold-air with the no-tune sleeve, the car picked up peak-to-peak gains of 10.09 horsepower and 8.79 lb-ft of torque.”

AND

“Removing the sleeve and adding a Steeda calibration, via an SCT Performance tuner, added another 13.13 horsepower and 6.37 lb-ft of torque.”

10.09 + 13.13 = 23.22

So approximately 7 HP (23 vs 30) is missing between Steeda's vs. SVT's dyno run, probably due to variances between vehicles, testing conditions, air temperature, humidity, cherry picking the best test run...
:shrug:

 

[David@Steeda]

[MENTION=9698]Sasuketr[/MENTION] [MENTION=17834]Wally-Bob[/MENTION] guys we've been over this, that initial testing was not in a controlled environment - the car was heat-soaked as the pulls were back to back and the IAT/cylinder head temps were not apples to apples.

When we perform the testing with IAT no more than 10 above ambient and cylinder head temps right at 200 degrees, the gains are apparent. Not to mention the car was brand new during initial testing and we've since revised our tune.

 

[Sasuketr]

[MENTION=9698]Sasuketr[/MENTION] [MENTION=17834]Wally-Bob[/MENTION] guys we've been over this, that initial testing was not in a controlled environment - the car was heat-soaked as the pulls were back to back and the IAT/cylinder head temps were not apples to apples.

When we perform the testing with IAT no more than 10 above ambient and cylinder head temps right at 200 degrees, the gains are apparent. Not to mention the car was brand new during initial testing and we've since revised our tune.

Thanks David. Will you guys come up with a non oiled filter as well?

 

[David@Steeda]

Thanks David. Will you guys come up with a non oiled filter as well?

I've actually mentioned it to the team, I will reach out to engineering again and keep you updated!

 

[Sasuketr]

I've actually mentioned it to the team, I will reach out to engineering again and keep you updated!

Great news! Thanks alot!

 

[Wally-Bob]

@Sasuketr @Wally-Bob guys we've been over this, that initial testing was not in a controlled environment - the car was heat-soaked as the pulls were back to back and the IAT/cylinder head temps were not apples to apples.

When we perform the testing with IAT no more than 10 above ambient and cylinder head temps right at 200 degrees, the gains are apparent. Not to mention the car was brand new during initial testing and we've since revised our tune.

Thanks Dave for the confirmation of as I suspected, not an apples to apples controlled test.

I installed mine and did feel a modest seat of the pants HP gain. Now granted some gain is due to the tune. When you have the Steeda CAI next to the stock box and see it in person, you no doubt will agree that some of the HP gain is certainly from the Steeda CAI, not just the tune.

What I have noticed is about a 3 to 6 degree (F) drop in IAT at various conditions as compared to stock.

I and others compare the IAT to the ambient. I consider this to be a qualitative rather than a quantitative measurement meaning, I’m looking for the change in differential not the absolute numbers because I don’t trust either thermometer. I can park the car in the garage, two days later just turn on the electronics and the IAT is always about 10 degrees higher than ambient without ever starting the car.

Steeda provides an installation tutorial here: [ame="[MEDIA=youtube]lD0l6FV6PWo[/MEDIA]"][/ame]

I did things a little different than the video instructs, where as I installed the MAF sensor and filter absolutely last. Here’s why, when attaching the intake tube (black plastic elbow) to the velocity stack and throttle body inlet, put your hand inside and down the velocity stack to ensure a good alignment with the tube, then slide your hand further in to assure good alignment between the tube and the throttle body. Tighten the clamps on the velocity stack silicone sleeve first, re-check and then tighten the clamps on the throttle body sleeve. The sleeves should look smooth on the outside transitioning between the pieces. It is fairly easy to have a bad alignment if you don’t check by feeling the internals. In the SVT Performance article sited a few posts above, I can see in one of the photos the alignment between the velocity stack and elbow is not optimal. (Small HP loss) It’s all about getting every last HP gain no matter how small with each performance mod!

The fit, ease of installation, performance and appearance is fantastic.
What I can say about the Steeda CAI is - Go Get One!

 

[Sasuketr]

Thanks Dave for the confirmation of as I suspected, not an apples to apples controlled test.

I installed mine and did feel a modest seat of the pants HP gain. Now granted some gain is due to the tune. When you have the Steeda CAI next to the stock box and see it in person, you no doubt will agree that some of the HP gain is certainly from the Steeda CAI, not just the tune.

What I have noticed is about a 3 to 6 degree (F) drop in IAT at various conditions as compared to stock.

I and others compare the IAT to the ambient. I consider this to be a qualitative rather than a quantitative measurement meaning, I’m looking for the change in differential not the absolute numbers because I don’t trust either thermometer. I can park the car in the garage, two days later just turn on the electronics and the IAT is always about 10 degrees higher than ambient without ever starting the car.

Steeda provides an installation tutorial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD0l6FV6PWo

I did things a little different than the video instructs, where as I installed the MAF sensor and filter absolutely last. Here’s why, when attaching the intake tube (black plastic elbow) to the velocity stack and throttle body inlet, put your hand inside and down the velocity stack to ensure a good alignment with the tube, then slide your hand further in to assure good alignment between the tube and the throttle body. Tighten the clamps on the velocity stack silicone sleeve first, re-check and then tighten the clamps on the throttle body sleeve. The sleeves should look smooth on the outside transitioning between the pieces. It is fairly easy to have a bad alignment if you don’t check by feeling the internals. In the SVT Performance article sited a few posts above, I can see in one of the photos the alignment between the velocity stack and elbow is not optimal. (Small HP loss) It’s all about getting every last HP gain no matter how small with each performance mod!

The fit, ease of installation, performance and appearance is fantastic.
What I can say about the Steeda CAI is - Go Get One!

Do you think water might get in the filter from the hood vent? A member who has a roush intake had a choked car due to leaving the car under heavy rain!

 

[Evolvd]

Do you think water might get in the filter from the hood vent? A member who has a roush intake had a choked car due to leaving the car under heavy rain!

Water does enter the box from the hood vent however the box has a drain hole. You would have to at least partially submerge the filter to hydro-lock the motor, and unless that hole gets blocked it ain't happening.

 

[David@Steeda]

Water does enter the box from the hood vent however the box has a drain hole. You would have to at least partially submerge the filter to hydro-lock the motor, and unless that hole gets blocked it ain't happening.

This. If it was an issue, we'd be seeing hydro-locked motors.

 

[David@Steeda]

Latest update: we just had [MENTION=16280]cognizantphotos[/MENTION] 2016 PP GT in the shop for some dyno tuning, he brought his car to us with only long tube headers and exhaust (untuned) and wanted a dyno tune for his headers and yet to be installed restrictorless Steeda CAI.

With long tubes and exhaust, Joe's car put down 405 rwhp and 359 ft./lbs. tq. - again this was with no tune.

We popped in our Steeda CAI without the restrictor and started working on a tune to also accommodate Joe's long tubes. Our tuning mindset strives for great drivability with maximum (safe) power.

We're definitely pleased with the final results: 442 rwhp and 399 ft./lbs. tq.! Testing was done in a controlled environment with IAT 10 degrees above ambient and cylinder head temps right at 200 degrees for all pulls.

I'm including a couple additional dyno sheets to show both low RPM gains and high RPM gains. At 3,000 RPM you can see a 61 ft./lb. tq. increase and right at 6,700 RPM you can see a 47 rwhp and 36 ft./lbs. tq. increase!

These are stout numbers and we're happy with the gains, we know Joe will be as well - especially with how amazing the drivability is.

Videos to come shortly. PS - Kooks long tubes with Borla exhaust sounds amazing, especially at WOT.

Before and After:


Low RPM Gains:


High RPM Gains:


Link to Steeda's S550 CAI offerings

 

[Gibbo205]

WOW!

Your CAI does look like the best on the market for sure.

 

[cognizantphotos]

WOW!

Your CAI does look like the best on the market for sure.

Trust me it is!

 

[Wally-Bob]

Water does enter the box from the hood vent however the box has a drain hole. You would have to at least partially submerge the filter to hydro-lock the motor, and unless that hole gets blocked it ain't happening.

This. If it was an issue, we'd be seeing hydro-locked motors.

The CAI box is designed with the air intake from the grill using the stock tube, thus even if the hole in the bottom was to get plugged, the water would simply run out the grill inlet long before the filter would be submerged.

It rained pretty good today and the filter was dry. I think a Hurricane or car wash may get water in there. Driving in the rain or parked in a normal rain, water doesn't seem to make it's way in.

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