CAI - JLT Vs C&L and octane question

I will be buying a CAI/tune in a week or two. Looking at them on Brenspeed, I came up with a question. The C&L is $100 more than the JLT CAI. It looks a little cooler, but other than that is there a performance benefit to it to make it worth the extra $100? I don't particularly care about the look, so if the JLT makes just as much power, that may be my choice.

Also, I don't know what type of tune I want. Does anyone know how much power difference you can expect between a 93 octane tune and an 89 octane tune? If it is only like 1 horsepower, I'll just run 89, but if it's like 10, I'll run 93. I was thinking about maybe getting one for 89 and one for 93 and trying them both.

Lastly, what is the difference between a regular tune and a "race tune"? I assume they go more agressive on the race tune for more power, but is there a reason not to use it on an everyday car?

So the only difference is how the throttle responce feels, not the actual performance?

I was going with brennspeed just because I've bought other parts from them and am really happy with their service, and like how they will update any tune for free if you buy parts from them. Plus they have good reviews around the web.

I think I get it. Performance is the same, but with a "race" tune, the car "feels" like a race car?

I just spent some time looking at VMPTuning, Brenspeed, and Bamachips and now I am even more confused. They all say different power gains for each intake and all have different names for all their tunes, I guess this will be a difficult decision lol.

So is there a reason to choose C&L over JLT? And what makes the C&L Racer race-only? It is cheaper than the street, and it isn't like a carburetor, so I don't see why you couldn't use it for any application (too much air flow won't hurt).

Now, different places say everywhere from 10 to 40 horsepower gains from a CAI/tune. Realistically, what can I expect to gain at the WHEELS, with a CAI and an 89 or 93 octane tune?

That's like 30 RWHP gain.. Was this with a mailorder tune, or did you have it actually tuned on a dyno?

I figured since the mailorder tunes are made fromd yno tunes of other cars, they can't be too much worse than a real dyno tune.. So is it safe to say taht I can expect 25+ rwhp gain if I use a 93 octane tune?

I read that article. It is kind of confusing. For one, it uses a baseline number with the HC filter removed. My car does not have that filter (it's an 08), so would my stock power output match their HC-trap-removed baseline, meaning 06+ cars actually have a little more power than 05s? In taht case, then their results are still relevant.

Also, though, it mentions some of them with a tune, some don't mention whether tuned or not. But it also doesn't say if they were tested with the tune that is mentioned in the beginning, or with the stock tune. They're dyno results reflect HP gains over the stock baseline, for example, the JLT picked up 27 horsepower over the baseline of 261. Is this JUST with the CAI, or is it with their base tune, or is it with a JLT specific tune? In any case, I guess that means that I could expect a 27 horsepower incrase with a JLT and tune?

According to that, the JLT makes most power, but C&L is real close. So I guess that means it just comes down to personal preference/looks, huh? If that is it, I'd probably save my $100 and get the JLT.

But, Thumper, how much did DMP charge you for the C&L Racer with the street MAF tube? I would say I am between the racer and the JLT, as they are priced close, both are plastic, and both perform real close.

Pending the answer to that question, I think I am leaning more towards the JLT. Then I just have to decide on tunes. Right now, I am thinking I will get an 89 performance tune, for my usual day to day life. A 93 performance tune, for when I go racing or feel like running 93, and either a 93 race tune, or 89 gas milage tune. Then again, since the difference is really only a couple bucks, I may wind up always running the 93 anyway... Then that leaves my final decision: VMP, Brenspeed, or Bama.... Everyone has something good to say about each one, and they are all priced about the same... SO many decisions!

How significant is the ass-dyno gain from this? Everone says the extra power and reduced drive by wire lag makes a world of difference. The car already feels awesome to me, so I guess it will go from awesome to totally kick ass?

One alst question. If I buy a CAI/tune next week, then decide to get an offroad pipe, will I need a retune, or is that an insignificant enough mod that I will be ok?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for all the information!