I know this makes me sound stupid, but could you guys tell me what a cold air intake does, how hard it is to install, and how much performance enhancement it adds. Also does it affect the warranty?
Cold air intake
- Thread starter APowers
- Start date
Sanctus
Member
A cold air intake takes air from a cooler location in the engine bay and feeds it into the engine. Cooler air = More power. There are very few true cold air intakes. I just installed the JLT CAI with SCT II tuner and the whole package was about 6--$ or so. and let me just say on these new cars its unbelievable. i have yet to run the 91 octane tune on the SCT but i have a feeling it will be even more crazy. THe power gains are really substantial. Dollar/Horsepower ratio is amazing and cannot be matched. It is simple. if you want more power through the powerband an aftermarket intake is a must. Plus the JLT can be matched to your paint color. (which looks reallly really cool) and its huge.
installation was a breeze. Just make sure you have a Normal Adjustable wrench. A "T20" Torx Wrench or socket. and a flathead screwdriver. thats quite honestly the only tools you need. It took about an hour an a half, (including a run to the store to get the torx wrench, cooking some tater tots. and of course about a half hour to realize it was a torx screw and an allen wrench wouldnt work. haha yeah ill admit to that one. they look similar alright! its a sinch truely. i have links in my signature if you want to click um. and warrenty.. well thats been discussed perfusely on these forums. (in the short ask your dealer how cool they are about it). I hope this answers your questions. there is a search feature on the forum so feel free to use that aswell before posting. (sorry that came off kinda mean. but its there!)
-Sy
installation was a breeze. Just make sure you have a Normal Adjustable wrench. A "T20" Torx Wrench or socket. and a flathead screwdriver. thats quite honestly the only tools you need. It took about an hour an a half, (including a run to the store to get the torx wrench, cooking some tater tots. and of course about a half hour to realize it was a torx screw and an allen wrench wouldnt work. haha yeah ill admit to that one. they look similar alright! its a sinch truely. i have links in my signature if you want to click um. and warrenty.. well thats been discussed perfusely on these forums. (in the short ask your dealer how cool they are about it). I hope this answers your questions. there is a search feature on the forum so feel free to use that aswell before posting. (sorry that came off kinda mean. but its there!)
-Sy
ShowYa06
New Member
The factory setup is actually a cold air intake. Air is taken in from a hole in the inside of the fender and it is insulated from engine heat the rest of the way up to the throttle body (plastic and rubber tubing). The problem with the stock setup is that it is meant to reduce noise so it has an air silencer and it is somewhat restrictive of the air flow.
Aftermarket CAIs also draw air from the same hole in the fender, but they don't have an air silencer and they have much larger filters. They also enclose those filters in metal or plastic (like the stock air box). Their inlet pipes are generally straighter and smoother than stock. Air flow is better and they have been shown to add maybe 15-20 HP (See test in MM&FF a few months back). Some CAIs change the diameter of the tube near the mass air flow sensor and because of this, they require a retune of your engine's computer (Steeda and Ford Racing). If they maintain the stock diameter and placement of the MAF sensor, they usually don't require a tune. But they all benefit from a tune. With a good tune and a CAI you might get 25-30 HP, maybe a little more.
I've had a CAI and tune for about six months now in my '05 GT. Works great. I recommend the setup. About warranty, I purchased the CAI from my Ford Dealer. He knows it's in there with a tune and has performed warranty service on my brake fluid reservoir with no hassle.
Aftermarket CAIs also draw air from the same hole in the fender, but they don't have an air silencer and they have much larger filters. They also enclose those filters in metal or plastic (like the stock air box). Their inlet pipes are generally straighter and smoother than stock. Air flow is better and they have been shown to add maybe 15-20 HP (See test in MM&FF a few months back). Some CAIs change the diameter of the tube near the mass air flow sensor and because of this, they require a retune of your engine's computer (Steeda and Ford Racing). If they maintain the stock diameter and placement of the MAF sensor, they usually don't require a tune. But they all benefit from a tune. With a good tune and a CAI you might get 25-30 HP, maybe a little more.
I've had a CAI and tune for about six months now in my '05 GT. Works great. I recommend the setup. About warranty, I purchased the CAI from my Ford Dealer. He knows it's in there with a tune and has performed warranty service on my brake fluid reservoir with no hassle.
Just found out today that the dealership I am buying my car from service department recommends two brands of cold air intakes. As long as I buy one of these brands and they do the install, it does not affect the warranty. JNT and KLN were the two brands, I think.
red05bullitgt
Member
If your referring to JLT..I just don't see, how your dealership could make such a claim..The JLT requires a reflash, of your PCM's control module (computer) On the other hand, if your referring to the FRPP 1, Then yes, I'll agree with you there..Ford already has their own flash tool, for that kit..However, if I were you..I'd make sure, to get that put in writting..APowers said:
red05bullitgt
Member
The only stupid question, is the one that never gets asked..Therefore, don't ever feel that way..Everyone, has asked that very same question, at one point or another..Besides, how else are you going to learn, if you don't ask ? We all have to start, from somewhere..APowers said:
V8JamesGT said:
You are right K&N was one of the CAI that they recomended. But the JLT was the one the service manager said that he prefered.
No doubt brother, you can count on it being in writing. We are in full agreement here.red05bullitgt said:
red05bullitgt said:The only stupid question, is the one that never gets asked..Therefore, don't ever feel that way..Everyone, has asked that very same question, at one point or another..Besides, how else are you going to learn, if you don't ask ? We all have to start, from somewhere..
Well I read some of the discussions here. I am an electrical engineer by trade. A lot of the discussions go way over my head. I appricate your sincerity, although it is not rare on this web site. The bottom line is I am buying my dream car, and I want to really, really want to do the mods that most effective.
red05bullitgt
Member
Same here, which is why it took me over a year, of research..Before I was 100% confident, in choosing the right CAI, for my 05.. although, I have a pretty good relationship, with my dealer..They will only agree to warranty, the Ford Racing Power Pack..As soon as I mentioned, JLT and all the others..They said, if I do..then I'm on my own..So my dealer isn't nearly, as cool or as open, as yours is..Which is why, I suggested to make sure, that your dealer agrees, to put it all, in writting..
red05bullitgt
Member
If your car was custom tuned, on a dyno..Sure, I can believe those numbers..In fact, Lidio from Alternative Auto, is famous for his factory airbox tunes, that deliver 20+HP. However, on the other hand..if your referring to a preloaded tuner or canned tune..Then there's no way, in hell your going to come even close, to 20+HP with just a K&N drop in filter..
red05bullitgt said:
The dealership service manager that I have been discussing here quoted me 10 to 15 added hp, but rated at the rear wheels. And 15 is streching it. He said expect the 10 more than anything else, but that I would be able to tell the performance difference. He said it will also improve the gas mileage depending on my driving habits.
red05bullitgt
Member
As long as your pleased..That's all that really matters..However, in my case..I can get close to 30+hp with a tune and cold air kit..praztek said:
red05bullitgt
Member
I'm not quite sure, that I follow you..Is your dealership, saying that the most you'll get is, 15 HP. with a custom tune, meaning that your car, is tuned on a dyno ?? or do you mean a canned or preloaded tune ??APowers said:
red05bullitgt
Member
AHH, but I didn't pay $299 for my Steeda..I paid $250 and only paid $310 for my X cal II SF-9415 ST. tuner..praztek said:
I got both, at discounted rates..
