CAI & Tune gains?

[ChitownStang]

I'm going to be getting a tune soon and I'm trying to figure out if the $500-$700 cold air intake is worth it.
I've asked a few tuners and the answer is vague.
I can't find anyone that has tested a CAI vs just High Flow Filters and Carbon Traps remove with a tune or even without a tune.
To me this is would be what we need to know!?
Anyone have this data?

Also are all the CAI equally larger at the mass air flow opening?
Steeda says its the largest- I can reuse my Steeda filters and save a few$
Whipple Crusher- Looks nicest
JLT- cheapest but can't find anything regarding larger diameter

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[robvas]

Nope

 

[JPGC_S650]

The CAIs in some cases look better but are meh for any real gains. Lund Jr did plenty of testing, even without any intake piping when he initially started tuning for the S650 (NA). If you do car shows, etc. and want a good looking intake, cool. But for just performance gains, not a lot to be had in an otherwise stock or basic bolt on car. In fact, if you look at my signature...of the mods I have, the MGW shifter and exhaust are my favorites....not because of any gains but the feel and sound of the car. Performance wise, I really don't feel that the car is more powerful than stock or at least barely noticeable. I can shift more efficiently and it does handle better though.

 

[roket]

the mustangs come with cold air intakes from factory now, so there's no real point to getting a cold air intake kit. cold air intakes on the S650 are what oil pump gears were on the 2018+ S550s. just marketing to get a free $500-$800 out of you

 

[Joe_Stang]

Its a shame they are so damn expensive for the better looking ones. If they were a couple hundred cheaper I might buy one even if the gains were minimal (probably none)

 

[ChitownStang]

Back on previous s550’s there was increased diameter of the tune which could be tuned for more power, thought it may be similar.
Some of the tuners ask in the setup form if you have a CAI

 

[robvas]

Back on previous s550’s there was increased diameter of the tune which could be tuned for more power, thought it may be similar.
Some of the tuners ask in the setup form if you have a CAI

There's two intakes and two throttle bodies now.
That means you have way, way, way more airflow than you could ever use on a 5 liter engine. So it's extra pointless to "upgrade" the piping, filters, etc
Plus they're running MAP so you don't need to tune them differently than even running a wide open throttle body.

 

[Ducatti20]

When tuning first came out Lethal did a segment with Rob Shoemaker and he made a comment that you could add a CAI with no re-tune needed because they are running MAP. So while I can see MAYBE some throttle response, maybe some "woosh" noise (sometimes that doesn't sound good).... they are pretty much cosmetic IMO. Now FULL bolt-ons (ported intake, bigger throttle bodies, headers etc) you might see a true impact with a CAI.
I will be buying one at some point just to have one.... no expectations of it really doing much until I see good dyno data and track time showing me the impact. Again, just my opinion.

 

[ZXMustang]

When tuning first came out Lethal did a segment with Rob Shoemaker and he made a comment that you could add a CAI with no re-tune needed because they are running MAP. So while I can see MAYBE some throttle response, maybe some "woosh" noise (sometimes that doesn't sound good).... they are pretty much cosmetic IMO. Now FULL bolt-ons (ported intake, bigger throttle bodies, headers etc) you might see a true impact with a CAI.
I will be buying one at some point just to have one.... no expectations of it really doing much until I see good dyno data and track time showing me the impact. Again, just my opinion.

This is true. And I see the same intake airflow numbers on stock intake/stock paper filter cars as I do with CAI cars I've done. The airflow bottleneck is the stock exhaust. Headers with no cats will max out the stock intake and thats when a CAI will start to help. The TB isnt a bottleneck, the heads arent and neither are the stock cams. Its really the stock cats.

This is all for NA cars obv. This is what I've seen and Im over 100 S650s tuned, logged and sent down the road. I've also tried just about every VCT WOT set of cam angles and no matter what, you are getting maximum airflow from the stock intake. Headers are the step up in airflow and power.

 

[ChitownStang]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Looks like engine bay eye candy which isn’t really something I waste money on.
Thanks!

 

[Ducatti20]

I mean don't get me wrong... I'm totally getting one LOL. And I will research the power gain claims and go with the best one that a tuner or place that is willing to spend money to dyno does. And after I install I will swear it makes butt power. But I'll do that with MY money... not yours lol.
Then secretly, at some moment within a few weeks of install I will question if it did anything and debate going back to stock to test but then I won't because I won't want to know the truth.
And this is how mods get installed on my cars hehe.

 

[ChitownStang]

I mean don't get me wrong... I'm totally getting one LOL. And I will research the power gain claims and go with the best one that a tuner or place that is willing to spend money to dyno does. And after I install I will swear it makes butt power. But I'll do that with MY money... not yours lol.
Then secretly, at some moment within a few weeks of install I will question if it did anything and debate going back to stock to test but then I won't because I won't want to know the truth.
And this is how mods get installed on my cars hehe.

Sounds like the life of a mustang owner. Lol

 

[Westcoat2024]

I'm going to be getting a tune soon and I'm trying to figure out if the $500-$700 cold air intake is worth it.
I've asked a few tuners and the answer is vague.
I can't find anyone that has tested a CAI vs just High Flow Filters and Carbon Traps remove with a tune or even without a tune.
To me this is would be what we need to know!?
Anyone have this data?

Also are all the CAI equally larger at the mass air flow opening?
Steeda says its the largest- I can reuse my Steeda filters and save a few$
Whipple Crusher- Looks nicest
JLT- cheapest but can't find anything regarding larger diameter

I just installed the PSE Motorsports cold air intake

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Man! You dyslexic dudes **** me up!

Are you sure that's not SPE Motorsports; NOT PSE Motorsports?

https://tsp-parts.com/products/spe-motorsport-s650-mustang-carbon-fiber-cold-air-intakes

BTW: Very sharp looking CAI!

UPDATE: Ho Lee ****! It should look good for that price!

 

[RC53]

I just ordered the SPE motorsports CAI, Main reason, I love the carbon look. Thats IT. If it does anything to the car, A bonus for me. Not cheap thu

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