Cold Air Kits

ramjetlx said:

Laugh all you want but look at most of the aftermarket CAI kits. Whats the difference between it and the stock CAI? Bigger piping, filter and Mass air meter, However, if Im correct it retains the same damn layout and position! It even pulls air from the same damn spot, right off the street. So how you claim that the aftermarket kits are CAI? they should be called "Cooler Air Intakes, not cold air intakes. What is the purpose of the stock CAI? To lower the noise of the intake, thats why it has so many bends and is made from thick rubber. However, its almost completely sealed and pulls air from the outside of the engine. Now how is that not similar to 90% of the aftermarket CAI's besides being smaller in diameter? Oh dont tell me youre being bluffed by all the marketing that goes on to sell these things! I believe this was discussed a year ago on the 5.0 forums, which I have been a member of for almost 3 years before the crash. So to those who insult my intelligence, wake up and look beyond what all the advertisers say a CAI is supposed to be. The stock setup, as well as many other manufacturers, is an example of a fully enclosed filter pulling air from outside of the engine. So isnt that considered a CAI? And to those who want to argue about this, try a search on the 5.0 tech forums. Because this is not the first time nor the last where everyone will argue what a true CAI is supposed to be........

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First off genius the 5.0 Stang isn't the topic nor has anything to do with the S-197 stock set up and if your stock set up is so cold air efficient as you claim ? then what was your excuse for replacing it with you're Tunable Induction kit, in the first place hummm ? well here's a hint for you...MORE AIRFLOW therefore it appears more than obvious you were also bluffed by all the marketing hype that goes on when selling these things as well, so why don't you practice what you preach ? wake up and also look beyond what all the advertisers say a CAI is supposed to be before you go accusing anybody else of doing the very same, hypocrite :OT:

Stang964 said:

I am going with the Granatelli cold air system that you suggested. This should do what I want and my Dallas Mustang contact has explained everything about the reflashing and there should not be a problem. He said that if my dealer gives me any grief over anything that I should just call Ford and they will set him straight. Apparently if I do not break into the motor and just add on bolt on items they cannot say anything. I need to call Ford anyway since my sales person wrote his name and phone number on my window sticker.

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As long as you understand how the Granatelli kit works and have somebody there to assist you with the harness and MAF ? it's really a very nice quality kit and have heard nothing but very positive results from other GMS owners from another forum, so I really believe that you made the very best choice for the results your looking for from a cold air kit, that doesn't require any reflashing of you're stock computer

red05bullitgt said:

First off genius the 5.0 Stang isn't the topic nor has anything to do with the S-197 stock set up and if your stock set up is so cold air efficient as you claim ? then what was your excuse for replacing it with you're Tunable Induction kit, in the first place hummm ? well here's a hint for you...MORE AIRFLOW therefore it appears more than obvious you were also bluffed by all the marketing hype that goes on when selling these things as well, so why don't you practice what you preach ? wake up and also look beyond what all the advertisers say a CAI is supposed to be before you go accusing anybody else of doing the very same, hypocrite :OT:

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Once again, youre misunderstanding me. I never claimed an aftermarket CAI is worse or not more efficent. And to the Stangnet Judge on this topic, I do know the difference between the different types of filters. Why do you think I run a Demolet/SCT Intake with a Shaker Hood? So please dont insult me or, Im sorry JUDGE me when you dont know me. I just said the stock box is one version of a CAI setup. But I will know longer try to argue this pointless topic, to each his own.

ramjetlx said:

Once again, youre misunderstanding me. I never claimed an aftermarket CAI is worse or not more efficent. And to the Stangnet Judge on this topic, I do know the difference between the different types of filters. Why do you think I run a Demolet/SCT Intake with a Shaker Hood? So please dont insult me or, Im sorry JUDGE me when you dont know me. I just said the stock box is one version of a CAI setup. But I will know longer try to argue this pointless topic, to each his own.

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And how do you expect for anyone not to misunderstand you, when you clearly stated time and time again, that a drop in filter for the stock airbox and an aftermarket cold air intake are one in the same ? when you know darn well that is not true...I never said anything about the stock airbox not pulling in cooler air through the fenderwell although with such a small opening in the fenderwell ? there really isn't very much air to extract to be perfectly honest with you..and that was the only point, in which I didn't agree with you on..does this mean that I'm some kind of judge or expert ? no of course it doesn't..I'm just another Mustang enthusiast, like yourself and nothing more and if I had believed for one moment that the stock airbox wasn't considered as an air restriction ? you can be assured that I wouldn't have wasted spending my hard earned money on my Steeda CAI and SCT tuner, if there was nothing to be gained from it...And if you feel that I insulted you in anyway ? you have my apologies for taking anything I said personally.. for that was never my intention to begin with, because it's never been within my personality to personally attack anybody and you can ask anyone in this forum about that..if anything I do everything within my power to help people whenever possible..with that being said ? I hope we can both put all this behind and get back on topic

red05bullitgt said:

And how do you expect for anyone not to misunderstand you, when you clearly stated time and time again, that a drop in filter for the stock airbox and an aftermarket cold air intake are one in the same ? when you know darn well that is not true...I never said anything about the stock airbox not pulling in cooler air through the fenderwell although with such a small opening in the fenderwell ? there really isn't very much air to extract to be perfectly honest with you..and that was the only point, in which I didn't agree with you on..does this mean that I'm some kind of judge or expert ? no of course it doesn't..I'm just another Mustang enthusiast, like yourself and nothing more and if I had believed for one moment that the stock airbox wasn't considered as an air restriction ? you can be assured that I wouldn't have wasted spending my hard earned money on my Steeda CAI and SCT tuner, if there was nothing to be gained from it...And if you feel that I insulted you in anyway ? you have my apologies for taking anything I said personally.. for that was never my intention to begin with, because it's never been within my personality to personally attack anybody and you can ask anyone in this forum about that..if anything I do everything within my power to help people whenever possible..with that being said ? I hope we can both put all this behind and get back on topic

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Listen, the topic is about a cold air kit that doesnt require a tune. There is a few out there, however I only suggested the Steeda drop in filter because some people dont want to void their warranty or have a louder car. Whether you agree or not, the stock box is a very efficent CAI, how do you think it supports 300 horses? Why do some think its not? Because it doesnt fall into the widely accepted thought that a CAI is a bigger inlet and filter that makes alot of noise which pulls air from the same location as the stock one. I never claimed that a drop in filter and aftermarket CAI is the same. I stated the stock box is another form of a CAI, and when installing a drop in filter such as Steeda's or K&Ns, it opens up the breathing a bit more. Now does it suck air as much as my Demolet, hell know, but the principle is the same, minus everything being much bigger with the Demolet. Dont you think if a company could make a bigger air box with the huge filter on my Demolet kit and fit it into a location without having to tear apart half the car and be cost effective to them and the customer, it will be more widely accepted. But its easier and cheaper for the customer and manufacturing company to make everything bigger (filter, mass air meter and inlet tube,) package it with a heat shield and call it a CAI. There are a few CAI that pull it from the top or middle of the car, which is much cooler then whats coming off the street, but they are expensive and require mods to the car that few are willing to do. (WMS, CDC Shaker). However I am willing to mod my car for a cooler source of air then the junk stock location,thats why I have a shaker hood on my car, which doesnt pull air from the street. (check out the attached pic.)I do not give out bad advice, just because my perception of a CAI is different then yours or some others, Im being told I dont belong on this forum. I currently own a 347cu notch with nitrous and a 06GT, both which I have built on my own in the past 3 years, so please dont tell me I dont know what Im talking about. Am I a pro, no, but I do have a clue what is what with CAIs. Even my notch has a ram air setup, so I do understand the importance of a CAI. And what does the ram air set up on my notch use? It uses a box to house the filter also, but its bigger then the stock one. My apologies if my first post seemed vague, but I never expected this topic to turn into something that it shouldnt have. We should accept the fact that we all have different perceptions on what a CAI is, however we are not wrong. Next time I will be more specific with my posts to prevent any misunderstanding to others. I just want us to be able to talk without resorting to insults and judging each other the wrong way.

red05bullitgt said:

ProMod come on now, let's be serious here..You know as well as anybody else the stock airbox was designed by Ford primarily for emission and noise purposes, otherwise it's overall design wouldn't be so restrictive that a cold air intake would be necessary in order to provide more airflow to the intake manifold, that the stock airbox chokes off in the first place ? thanks to it's flat lid design and S curved rubber intake tube that also restricts airflow due to those ridges inside the tube.. As for pulling in colder air from the fenderwell is concerned, do you realize just how small of an opening is in there ? I'll put it this way it's so small that by the time that tiny amount of airflow passes through the stock air filter and reaches the intake manifold ? it's not going to be nearly enough to provide any real benefit in performance compared to what a cold air intake can provide. However on the other hand ? I agree that most cold air intakes with the exception of the WMS pull in more warm air than actual cold air because none of them have come up with a way of mounting the filter itself outside of the fenderwell ? but never the less, there all still a very huge improvement over stock as far as providing more airflow in general... And again your exactly right about how some of the cold air kits such as the K&N aircharger AEM, AFE, S&B and BBK are able to get by with the stock tune is because they all have the same MAF size as stock..therefore they don't require a reflash of the PCM

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I think you're just misunderstanding me just as your are ramjetlx. We both agree with you that the stock airbox was designed for emissions & noise; we never debated that. We both agree with you that the stock airbox design is ****ty with poor airflow; we never debated that. ALL we were saying is that the stock airbox does get it's air from a fresh (or "cold") source... that's all. Nothing more, nothing less. Yes we realize the stock airbox's downfalls and are aware of it's tiny air inlet. We NEVER said it was a GOOD cai.
You're trying to argue over something we all agree on

Yes you're right, I misinterpreted what both of you were getting across and sure I won't deny the stock airbox design as sufficient enough for what Ford intended it ? however when it comes to performance oriented applications ? then yes, no question about the stock airbox being an air restriction in which we can all agree just as you mentioned as being ****ty lol. So all that really matters ? is that now were all on the same page..

Stang964 said:

I am going with the Granatelli cold air system that you suggested. This should do what I want and my Dallas Mustang contact has explained everything about the reflashing and there should not be a problem. He said that if my dealer gives me any grief over anything that I should just call Ford and they will set him straight. Apparently if I do not break into the motor and just add on bolt on items they cannot say anything. I need to call Ford anyway since my sales person wrote his name and phone number on my window sticker.

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If you are worried about the warrenty, Why not just find a Ford Racing Dealer and have them install the FRPP intake and tune, if it is done by a authorized FRPP dealer then you are safe. these are the same as installed on the Hertz GT-H Rental Cars. you get good power gains and it says Ford Racing

Get the FR power Upgrade
http://www.fordracingparts.com/performancepackages/performancepackages.asp

http://www.fordracingparts.com/mustang/main-s4.asp?vehicleid=4&year=2007#fromFlash

Read there warrenty statment
http://www.fordracingparts.com/warranty/FORD_RACING_LIMITED_WARRANTY_STATEMENT.pdf

Check the where to buy in Texas
http://www.fordracingparts.com/wheretobuy/byregion.asp?id=35

2k05gt said:

If you are worried about the warrenty, Why not just find a Ford Racing Dealer and have them install the FRPP intake and tune, if it is done by a authorized FRPP dealer then you are safe. these are the same as installed on the Hertz GT-H Rental Cars. you get good power gains and it says Ford Racing

Get the FR power Upgrade
http://www.fordracingparts.com/performancepackages/performancepackages.asp

http://www.fordracingparts.com/mustang/main-s4.asp?vehicleid=4&year=2007#fromFlash

Read there warrenty statment
http://www.fordracingparts.com/warranty/FORD_RACING_LIMITED_WARRANTY_STATEMENT.pdf

Check the where to buy in Texas
http://www.fordracingparts.com/wheretobuy/byregion.asp?id=35

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I was going to recommend The Ford Racing Power Pack, being that I have the very same kit only in the Steeda version with the X-CAL II instead of the FRPP pro cal tool..However Stang964 does not want a cold air kit that requires reflashing her computer. which was I recommended the GMS and besides the FRPP cal tool doesn't provide any real worthwile power improvements over stock to begin with..

Why doesn't the FRPP tool do the same thing as the Steeda version? Is it that the tool will do it, but the dealer won't? Or is the limitation on the tool? I am in the same boat as Stang964 and in fact just ordered the same car. I would like to get something that would give me some performance upgrades, without a lot of programming on my part.

I always liked C&L , they're not cheap but they are good. They have thicker walls than the polished ones. The thinner they are the more heat they pick up and hold onto. Other than that I would go K&N they have a plastic tube and do not transfer as much heat.

07 GT/CS said:

Why doesn't the FRPP tool do the same thing as the Steeda version? Is it that the tool will do it, but the dealer won't? Or is the limitation on the tool? I am in the same boat as Stang964 and in fact just ordered the same car. I would like to get something that would give me some performance upgrades, without a lot of programming on my part.

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I think you sort of misunderstood me, what I tried to mention was that the FRPP tuner is not the same as the SCT X-CAL II meaning the FRPP pro cal tool provides a very conservative tune which is only calibrated for the cold air intake and for 91 octane fuel which does not allow the user to make any adjustments to any of the parameters nor allows the user to add additional parts/mods that require the use a hand held programmer such as the SCT X-CAL II or Diablosport Predator that does allow the user to make any necessary changes/adjustments to their custom tune files..That's why I went with the SCT X-CAL II tuner and the Steeda cold air intake because the FRPP pro cal tool is indeed very limited..Therefore if your interested in the FRPP cold air set up ? you would be much better off and much happier if you purchased the Steeda/SCT X-CAL tuner combo from www.brenspeed.com instead.. and I don't know if your aware of this or not ? but the Steeda and FRPP cold air intakes are exactly the same being that Steeda designs the FRPP intake for Ford...As for being in the same boat as Stang964 ? If you plan on doing more than just a cold air intake upgrade ? then yes you will definitely need an SCT X-CAL II custom programmer..If on the other hand ? you don't plan on going any further than a cold air intake/axle back exhaust and underdrive pulleys ? then I would recommend just as with Stang964 that you also purchase a cold air intake such as the Granatelli system that does not require the use of a programmer...Anyway, I hope this answers your questions and wish you the very best of luck in choosing the right kit for your specific application..

Since my new GT/CS hasn't arrived yet, I am in the planning stages. I have been researching the mufflers, the rear spoiler, X pipes, and intakes so far. For me, the vehicle will be a daily driver so I am not looking to get too radical. Although in my younger days, I was bitten by the speed bug on a regular basis. I am leaning so far towards a couple of immediate projects. I'm inclined to go with the American Thunder Flowmasters, the Ford X pipe, the Steeda Shelby spoiler copy, and the only thing left is what intake I will go with. I don't mind doing some occasional tuning, but don't want it to turn into a major production. I may also drop some coin on the Steeda cross brace as well. This site has proven invaluable so far and everyone seems pretty helpful, even to the newbs.....

I feel pretty much the same way as I also don't plan on going extremely overboard either.. I'll more than likely end up adding underdrive pulley's, axle back exhaust, off road H or X pipe and possibly either the C&L 3v intake manifold or Fast 3v intake manifold that's providing of course they do what's advertised but other than that ? I have no plans of going any further.. But as far as the SCT custom programmer is concerned ? it's really very easy to use and understand so don't let something like that discourage you because just the additional throttle response and HP gains alone are well worth it and believe me, you won't regret it besides I'm not exactly what you call a spring chicken anymore either at 48 but since Ford came out with the current 05-07 retro styled Mustang ? everytime I get behind the wheel, I feel as though I'm 18 and behind the wheel of a 67 fastback all over again...

I'm a child of the late fifties myself so the retro look is what caught my eye too. It is kind of fun getting a car that looks like the cars we drove in High School. I remember friends with Mach 1's, 67 Camaros, Cudas, etc. I was into fast VW bugs back then (prior to the California look), and early muscle bikes prior to the advent of the Ninja styles. I will get the exhaust done first, then I guess I'll cowboy up and do the intake. If I have to program, I might as well go with something good and skip the ones that don't require tuneing. Or, I suppose I could go FRPP and just wait until Steeda and the others crack the codes and provide better programming.

Don't hesitate on getting an SCT tuner (I'm a big www.bamachips.com fan here!). Just because they *allow* for adjustability, doesn't mean you have to program the whole thing yourself when you load it up. The SCT tuner will come with a pre-loaded tune from whoever you get your kit from. There are 2 benefits to an SCT (or Diablo if you wish) is that your custom tunes are WAY more aggressive than the tune you get from FRPP; and the other benefit is that the SCT will grow with your future mods. You can adjust timing, idle, A/F, and other parameters *IF NEEDED.*
For your initial install, the process is the same with both the FRPP & SCT kit.

I'm with red05bullitgt, DEFINITELY get an SCT tuner and forget that FRPP pos. FRPP stuff is just too conservative sometimes. I just differ in that I support Doug @ BamaChips to the end. My track #'s have been great and Doug's customer support has been ABOVE & BEYOND. He also gives you FREE updates to your tunes for future mods.

Just to add one more thing to your desire to keep your car a daily driver... my car is also a daily driver, and I have 34,000 miles on it after owning it only 15 months. The chassis & ecu of these cars keep them very sedate even after adding mods. With the mods I have in my sig, my car is still a GREAT and VERY COMFORTABLE daily driver. I think my best choice so far was keeping the stock mufflers on. Even with the longtubes & off road H-pipe, the interior is very quiet at cruising speeds. No complaints from the girlfriends, grandma, or ANYBODY LOL. Plus, there's really no power in aftermarket mufflers on these cars so you wont be missing out on anything.

I agree that the FRPP setup is very conservative, I suggested it because some people might want to play it save with there warrenty, FRPP does explain how these parts affect your warrenty. If a FRPP dealer installs these packs your are more likely to have a good experence at the dealer if you have a problem. that said, some dealers will just poop there pants when they see anything other than factory parts, I know I went through this with three dealers in my area, they would not warrenty my alternator because of underdirve pulleys even though there was a TSB out for the exact same issue I was having. (they made me remove the pulleys) second time was also a TSB issue with the Cam Phaser gear binding, they would not touch my car untill I removed ALL aftermarket parts, including Steel braided hoses and plenum cover. (a midwest auto cover at the time) Also said that my 4.10 Gears throws the engine calibration off ??? WTF AHOLES.

some people beleive that ford does this because they want a peice of the aftermarket parts pie, this maybe true, if this is so, then they will be more likely to work on your car if you have their parts....

After my experience with the Ford Service, I said screw them and their worthless warrenty, I got my money back for the extended warrenty and I will mod what ever I want. to hell with FOMOCO..

I'm a little miffed because somewhere on these forums somebody mentioned that they ordered a GT/CS and were allowed to order the FRPP power pack at the same time. I wasn't given that option when I ordered mine. And, I was sitting with the fleet manager looking at the Ford ordering screen when I did it. He did mention that there are packages that are strictly dealer installed. I'm assuming any FRPP would fall into that category. However, I have the Ford documents in .pdf that show all the options available at ordering time. I'm guessing that the person who got the power pack at the time of ordering swung a deal with the dealership. If that is the case, then it would follow suit that the dealer would warranty anything put on the car before the person accepted delivery wouldn't they? I also read the section Doug from bamachips wrote on having problems with the dealer reflashing and then how the car wouldn't start. Seems there is a workaround, but it makes me a little nervous to have to go through that. Sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel though and the aftermarket folks will catch up with the 07 differences shortly.

07 GT/CS said:

I'm a little miffed because somewhere on these forums somebody mentioned that they ordered a GT/CS and were allowed to order the FRPP power pack at the same time. I wasn't given that option when I ordered mine. And, I was sitting with the fleet manager looking at the Ford ordering screen when I did it. He did mention that there are packages that are strictly dealer installed. I'm assuming any FRPP would fall into that category. However, I have the Ford documents in .pdf that show all the options available at ordering time. I'm guessing that the person who got the power pack at the time of ordering swung a deal with the dealership. If that is the case, then it would follow suit that the dealer would warranty anything put on the car before the person accepted delivery wouldn't they? I also read the section Doug from bamachips wrote on having problems with the dealer reflashing and then how the car wouldn't start. Seems there is a workaround, but it makes me a little nervous to have to go through that. Sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel though and the aftermarket folks will catch up with the 07 differences shortly.

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Definitely take ProMod's advice and I also recommend you choose Doug from www.bamachips.com as your custom tuning dealer as well..believe me when he tells you that his custom tunes improve your throttle response ? he delivers and then some, especially if you select his 93 octane race tune ? In fact you'll almost feel as though you have a throttle cable again when you notice no more hanging throttle lag during shift changes which is also something the FRPP pro cal tool doesn't offer...As for warranty concerns ? the Steeda/FRPP cold air intake is now covered under Ford's warranty policy, I already posted a copy of it in the 2005+ talk forum so when you get a free moment ? I'm sure you'll be very interested in reading it over..Although the SCT X-CAL isn't covered ? anyone here will tell you that it's a very safe programmer and has been tested thoroughly so there's really no need to be concerned about anything going wrong and you can always re-flash back to stock before taking you're vehicle back to the dealership for servicing..