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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Engine Cold Air Intake, Worthless add on?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brian Teel
  • Start date Start date Apr 16, 2013

Is A CIA a worthwhile add on?

  • Yes, you will notice a difference

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • No, it's just a myth

    Votes: 1 100.0%

  • Total voters
    1

Brian Teel

New Member
Apr 10, 2013
7
0
1
Branson West, Missouri
Apr 16, 2013
#1
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #1
Hi guys. I am super new to this kind of stuff. I was planning on doing a CAI as my first mod on my 2001 GT, I was looking around on the internet and found This youtube video. They say it is not going to make any difference. It seems the people who have them like them, but now I wonder if it is worth the money, or if I should instead spend on something else?
 

DJ Fury

Member
Aug 22, 2009
72
1
9
Apr 16, 2013
#2
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #2
Depends on your budget. How much money are you going to throw at upgrades and how quickly are you going to throw it?
 

earleys94gt

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
1,223
16
49
Ashley, Ohio
Apr 16, 2013
#3
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #3
If you are only going to do a cold-air, just don't. For the price they are just not worth it.

If you are going to tune the car, add some exhaust, and other modifications then perhaps a cold-air would help.

However, for a street car, possibly daily driven, and at or near stock I would save my money.
 

Brian Teel

New Member
Apr 10, 2013
7
0
1
Branson West, Missouri
Apr 16, 2013
#4
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #4
Thanks guys. My plans were/are CAI, 70mm throttle body, Intake Plenum, exhaust (slp LM2?), sway bar, Tune. Not necessarily in that order. I want a quick daily driver, maybe a little stoplight to stoplight action with the guy in the next lane.

BTW, I am bone stock right now.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Apr 16, 2013
#5
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #5
Worthless without other mods. IF you are building in steps then it is a worthwhile mod. An engine likes to breathe and a CAI will benefit but you won't feel it. I think a tune is worthless without more mods than you are considering. If you want a good first mod get 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Is your car manual or auto?
 

Brian Teel

New Member
Apr 10, 2013
7
0
1
Branson West, Missouri
Apr 16, 2013
#6
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #6
It is automatic.
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Apr 16, 2013
#7
  • Apr 16, 2013
  • #7
Consider just removing the inlet snorkel/silencer from the airbox in place of buying a CAI:

 
Reactions: Kilgore Trout

WrenchThrower

New Member
Apr 17, 2013
14
0
2
Apr 17, 2013
#8
  • Apr 17, 2013
  • #8
As long as it isn't one of those tine little filters.
Normally improvements are seen with a smoother pipe with less bends or heat transfer and or a bigger filter of the same filter level or just a filter that filters less. I Just use a different tube from a cheapo ebay CAI and attached it to stock air box silencer removed. I may try a large KN short ram one day if I get bored...All I know is the little filter going into the fender to me felt slower than stock.
 

Jhussey1280

Member
Jan 31, 2012
185
4
19
New Pal, Indiana
Apr 19, 2013
#9
  • Apr 19, 2013
  • #9
I wouldn't call it a worthless bolt on, but it's definately not an OMG bolt on. If you combine it with other bolt ons of course you'll get more out of it. If you just plan on sticking with simple bolts ons then go for it, but if you want to go FI then just save all the money you can and forget the CAI.
 

WrenchThrower

New Member
Apr 17, 2013
14
0
2
Apr 19, 2013
#10
  • Apr 19, 2013
  • #10
I'm sure many people get them b/c they look so much better. I personally like the K&N set up with the black plastic tube and the attempt at a heat shield. Been thinking about it since my stock air box has warped and getting the clamp on is getting harder and harder.
 

joshjwc9

Active Member
Jun 12, 2006
1,095
17
39
Palm Harbor, FL
Apr 19, 2013
#11
  • Apr 19, 2013
  • #11
It's 90% cosmetic. Combine it with throttle body, Plenum and exhaust and you'll be amazed with the seat of the pants dyno results.
 
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