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

Intake improvement question.

  • Thread starter Thread starter BlueRuckus
  • Start date Start date Sep 6, 2005

BlueRuckus

New Member
Jun 30, 2005
204
1
0
Miami, FL
Sep 6, 2005
#1
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #1
I know that upgrading intake parts such as CAI only on a stock motor will not give me an really amazing HP boost, but what about upgrading all the intake components at once. I was thinking about getting CAI, Plenum, Throttle Body and possibly Spacer at the same time. Oh yeah and a Turbonator. ........................................OK, No, not really

Should I expect to see a noticable gain from these pieces combined? I do plan on getting heads and cams down the road and gears and exhaust even sooner, among other upgrades. But just curious about the combination.

Thanks for any input.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Sep 6, 2005
#2
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #2
The key is component selection. For CAI I would suggest Demolet.

Also, do not mess with the stock MAF, leave it alone....
 

BooWFO

New Member
May 10, 2005
991
0
0
Louisville, KY
Sep 6, 2005
#3
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #3
Check out the latest MMFF they did the above mention upgrades. Granted it was a 96 but I'd expect the same overall results.
IMO take the $ you'd spend on all that stuff and get gears, or maybe some stg1 cams.
 

BlueRuckus

New Member
Jun 30, 2005
204
1
0
Miami, FL
Sep 6, 2005
#4
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #4
IMO take the $ you'd spend on all that stuff and get gears, or maybe some stg1 cams.
I can totally understand that, but I would eventually be getting the intake parts anyway, but I would imagine that the car would breath easier with the combo, no?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
T

Torinalth

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
952
0
16
Clayton NC
Sep 6, 2005
#5
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #5
i noticed a solid gain for the parts in my sig. spacer, CAI, plenum, TB. i did the CAI first, and it cleaned up the RPM band, no massive power gains, but the TB, plenum, spacer addition with the CAI (stock MAF) was quite noticable with theCAI in place. i'd do it in one swoop if possible. PM stangpro if you like my combo, he can get some REALLY nice deals on the CAI, plenum, and TB combo... spacer you can get from mustang tuning for like 30 or so.

Torinalth
 

forpit2000gt

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
2,490
0
0
Columbia, SC
Sep 6, 2005
#6
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #6
If you don't do the exaust, It will not be able to breath easier. Do the exaust first.
Take your choice of high flow exaust. You won't feel some 6-8 hp by bolting that Intake stuff on. Buy it now or buy it later. Gears will let you feel the most, although they don't add HP. Do a search on the intakes if you haven't already and take your choice of Plenums and TB combo's.
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
Sep 6, 2005
#7
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #7
BlueRuckus said:
I know that upgrading intake parts such as CAI only on a stock motor will not give me an really amazing HP boost, but what about upgrading all the intake components at once. I was thinking about getting CAI, Plenum, Throttle Body and possibly Spacer at the same time. Oh yeah and a Turbonator. ........................................OK, No, not really

Should I expect to see a noticable gain from these pieces combined? I do plan on getting heads and cams down the road and gears and exhaust even sooner, among other upgrades. But just curious about the combination.

Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...

Dollar for dollar here is what I think.

CAI (crap), TB/Plenum (3-6 HP), Spacer(crap). Cost 400 - 600 (depending on brand Total HP/TQ gained not very much

Cams and springs (25 - 35 HP) Cost 600 bucks

I may not be dead on with these numbers but I think most people will agree that if your looking for HP and your willing to spend that much money, do it right and go with cams. You could do that or get some 4.10's if you're not planning on a blower or juice.
 

BlueRuckus

New Member
Jun 30, 2005
204
1
0
Miami, FL
Sep 6, 2005
#8
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #8
Blev said:
Dollar for dollar here is what I think.

CAI (crap), TB/Plenum (3-6 HP), Spacer(crap). Cost 400 - 600 (depending on brand Total HP/TQ gained not very much

Cams and springs (25 - 35 HP) Cost 600 bucks

I may not be dead on with these numbers but I think most people will agree that if your looking for HP and your willing to spend that much money, do it right and go with cams. You could do that or get some 4.10's if you're not planning on a blower or juice.
Click to expand...


OK, those numbers make sense, so my question would be that since the intake and exhaust durations change with cams, would the stock intake parts be sufficient air for the time being?
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
Sep 6, 2005
#9
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #9
BlueRuckus said:
OK, those numbers make sense, so my question would be that since the intake and exhaust durations change with cams, would the stock intake parts be sufficient air for the time being?
Click to expand...
Yes. I would go with exhaust after that, then mess with the intake parts. Drop in K&N, then a Plenum/TB combo. Alot of people feel that unless you're going with forced induction or some P&P heads and an aggresive cam, you won't see much benefit from intake components. I'm not saying you won't gain anything from it, you just won't see nearly as much of a gain as you would with cams. This is from research that I did and MHO. Others may feel different.
 

flashstang04

New Member
Jun 7, 2004
154
0
0
Wichita Falls,Tx
Sep 6, 2005
#10
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #10
+1 on the idea of cams, although if you have them installed you may be looking at additional expense.
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
Sep 6, 2005
#11
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #11
flashstang04 said:
+1 on the idea of cams, although if you have them installed you may be looking at additional expense.
Click to expand...
Good Point, since I DIY, I just assume others do. My bad. Also consider a tune, more HP/TQ to be had from that as well.
 
S

SigmaPride

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
170
0
0
Sep 6, 2005
#12
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #12
If you really want an intake make sure you get plastic like the Demolet or JLT. Otherwise, you are better off with the stock intake and K&N, which isn't bad as-is and removing silencer.
 
F

flipnsac

Member
Nov 10, 2003
159
0
16
Northern CA
Sep 6, 2005
#13
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #13
The thing about upgrading the intake stuff is it doesn't do much good unless you also upgrade the outflow too (headers, mid-pipe & catback). Otherwise, you still have significant restrictions in the breathing system. Do the outflow upgrades too and your car will definitely breathe much better.

But I agree with the guys that say go for cam upgrade first. Your money is better spent that way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Forced Induction On3 Turbo Kit- Parts list NEEDED - 302 Stock Motor
  • Hirothecool1
  • Feb 27, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
852
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 7, 2026
slow84lx
S
Tuners come on inside
  • squeak93
  • Feb 13, 2026
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
1
Views
214
SVT Tech Forum Feb 20, 2026
squeak93
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
460
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
SN95 Desktop 363 Engine Combination - Looking for input
  • WhiteCobra95
  • Sep 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
Habu135
J
  • Locked
SOLD 93 cobra intake manifold
  • Jimmer009
  • Jan 19, 2025
  • Engine and Power Adder
Replies
3
Views
432
Engine and Power Adder Jan 22, 2025
Jimmer009
J
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?