Question about cold air intakes...

[akawease]

I know there are several posts on here about getting cold air intakes...K&N specifically, I just have the money to spend so is it worth it for the looks? I am not looking for extra hp or torque, I am just curious if it is worth it for just showing off? I'm not rich by any means, I just want some opinions. I have a 2024 GT Mustang Premium and I am very happy with it.

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[20ducks]

K&N CAI are some of the most expensive in the marketplace. Make a list of the mods you would like to have (with prices) and spend your money wisely.

 

[akawease]

Thanks. I just want some looks when I show off the car. If I can some get looks with something cheaper I am all for that. I appreciate your help!

 

[erocker]

Looks-wise I like the K&N best. Or Roush has some overpriced filters and filter box covers with windows in them that also look good. I'm just waiting for someone to start selling a set of carbon fiber intake tubes.

 

[Upacurb]

if anything add springs / wheels/ tires or start off with wheel spacers … wheel spacers are relatively cheap and I think do more to improve looks. Or you could do a wrap…


But really if you just care about showing off you probably should have bought a used M4 or some other fancy brand. Our cars are just fancy rental cars when you think about it…

you need to do things because you like them… not based on what others will think…

most of my friends drive exotics… so yeah air intakes aren’t doing much for us…

 

[roket]

the GT and DH come factory with cold air intakes that work very well, usually 1 to 2 degrees above ambient when moving. i really dont recommend you go for any of the aftermarket options, because the factory system works really well and also looks pretty good. plus, it has the V8 easter eggs under the covers, which are pretty neat. your GT looks really, really nice as-is, being white with GTPP and Nite Pony with the red calipers, so if anything, i recommend looking at some stripes instead. in my opinion, i think the black stripes with red accents from Ford would look really good, bringing in a bit more of that red accent color from the brakes, though i do recommend omitting the roof section because you have the black painted roof

 

[20ducks]

"...Our cars are just fancy rental cars when you think about it."

You might. I don't consider my car a "fancy rental car".

 

[Zig]

If you just want looks try fastening cash to the filter lids using some clear packing tape, just as good when going just for looks.

 

[LETHAL]

Of what is out there, I think the JLT looks the best. Seems to make a little power as well.

Steeda looks ok, and makes some gains.

K&N, ehh.. the welds are terrible on the intake tubes. And they seem to LOSE power vs OEM

 

[SSuperDave]

Its worth it to me, I will get the clear lid one just to show the blue filters already on my Grabber Blue car for shows, knowing its worth no hp. I can't see how anyone can improve on the factory setup, you can see the filter thru the grill and I can't imagine it gets much better than that.

 

[LethalPerformance]

I know there are several posts on here about getting cold air intakes...K&N specifically, I just have the money to spend so is it worth it for the looks? I am not looking for extra hp or torque, I am just curious if it is worth it for just showing off? I'm not rich by any means, I just want some opinions. I have a 2024 GT Mustang Premium and I am very happy with it.

Well, if you're not looking the intakes on the performance end and strictly aesthetics, it's tough to give a judgement. It's really up to what you like and what you prefer when opening your hood.

I can speak on the performance end - you'lll add some power with intakes but they're traditionally best paired with tunes (which are non-existent right now for N/a).
I'd check out all the options and go from there:
https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...24-2025-mustang-gt/induction/cold-air-intakes
The JLT option is potentially the cheapest option for you and still gives a traditional open-air intake, look.

 

[akawease]

I appreciate that. Thanks.

 

[akawease]

if anything add springs / wheels/ tires or start off with wheel spacers … wheel spacers are relatively cheap and I think do more to improve looks. Or you could do a wrap…


But really if you just care about showing off you probably should have bought a used M4 or some other fancy brand. Our cars are just fancy rental cars when you think about it…

you need to do things because you like them… not based on what others will think…

most of my friends drive exotics… so yeah air intakes aren’t doing much for us…

 

[akawease]

Thanks for your response. I think the look is cool, I'm just not affording exotic cars at this time. I was at a dealership in California a few weeks ago and kinda of out of my price range. I just want to make my Mustang look a little better than it already does.

 

[Alan Applegate]

My personal take.

The HP and/or torque increases quoted by K&N and others are very hard to believe or even justify the cost for whatever gain they may give. The same goes for cat back exhaust systems save for the increase in loudness. However, once you get into tuning, especially forced air ones, the scene changes, sometimes drastically, but never to the extent manufacturers would have you believe!

In the case of my 2019 Ranger, dyno measurements were made to set a starting point. The exhaust went in next, and that advertised 9 HP increase was barely 2 HP at the cost of $1,400! The Rauch CAI went in next, with no discernible increase for ≈ $500 spent. The Ford tune went in next, and it did live up to Ford's statements of ≈50 HP. Did the exhaust and CAI help? I don't think so.

What did help were the aluminum turbo plumbing, and the larger cat and down piping. The intercooler was in this mix too, which allowed the increase to be sustained at higher ambients, which in the SE area of NM was worth the expense.

All said and done, I do believe the exhaust and CAI did help a bit, but not worth the expense on an otherwise stock vehicle!

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