Uncle Meat said:You missed my point! I've never said the MAC didn't produce the most HP of any CAI+MAF system out there. I never said it wasn't a breeze to install, and I never said there were people out there having problems with them!!! I just have issues with the way the MAC straight shot makes some of its power.
Like with many MAC products, they took the cheap and easy way out. They fool the MAF electronics by using a larger MAF housing (95MM vs 90MM). The added power isn't being made because they have the "best design". They are tricking the ECM into delivering less fuel because the MAF housing flows 70CFM more than what the MAF sensor is calibrated for. This makes the intake charge a little leaner, henceforth more peak HP.
Now on a stock 03/04 Cobra you can afford to lean out the A/F quite a bit. Most from the factory are a little lean on the bottom end and go pig rich up top. I don't think the little bit the MAC straight shot leans out the A/F is going to hurt on a stock Cobra. My point being there is a more proper, more professional, and safer way to lean out the A/F ratio to make that extra power. Skewing the calibration of an electronic metering device is not the right way to go about it.
What you got was the aftermarket part that made the most HP, not the "Best" aftermarket part in my opinion.
I think we've beat this up enough for today....
U.M.
-I respect your opinion.. I'm sure your right. But to be honest, I don't see a better alternative for my vehicle than the MAC product. I do have a 'stock' Cobra.. and the only other mod I plan on the engine is the lighter pulleys. I don't race the car, just want a class muscle car to enjoy on the open road.
So from that perspective.. I'm glad I went with the MAC. Based on the other choices out there, I don't think I made a mistake whether its tricking the computer or not. Thanks for the input though if I were a tuner I'd probably rip it off from what you said.