Just ordered my new hood..

91mini · Feb 11, 2009

I went with the Cervini's concept hood with the ram air kit, but I have a few quetions.

1. Do I have to get a tuner with this ram air kit? I am under the impression that I would get optimal performance out of the ram air with it but if I don't hear any changes in the engine (pinging) at higher RPM's that I should be OK. Is this correct thinking? The only reason why I would not get a handheld tuner at this point though is that I will want to get some long tubes put on it in the future and planned on getting it Dyno'ed at that point instead of spending money on a tuner and possibly messing something up.

2. And this may be a silly question so I apologize in advance, but with the ram air hood should I be worried about debris or rain going into the hood scoops and eventually into the filter? It's not my daily driver so I hardly ever drive in adverse conditions anyway but you never know.

NastyStang113 · Feb 11, 2009

3v motors including the 5.4L and 4.6L are very sensitive to air intake changes. It's going to need a tune. I'd just get a mail order tune to save the money until you can get the long tubes and a dyno tune done.

07 Boss · Feb 12, 2009

NastyStang113 said:
3v motors including the 5.4L and 4.6L are very sensitive to air intake changes. It's going to need a tune. I'd just get a mail order tune to save the money until you can get the long tubes and a dyno tune done.

What's he going to do with a mail order tune and no tuner?

91mini · Feb 12, 2009

Well how do these tuners work. If I ordered SCT would I have to tell them what I'm doing with the intake for them to set a tune in it for me then pay for another if I wanted to put the long tubes on? If I have to buy a tuner then I'll wait to get a dyno pull until I feel I'm complete with everything I want to do with the car. I'm a newb to all of this.

Whatever my second question? Is that a legit concern?

07 Boss · Feb 12, 2009

91mini said:
Well how do these tuners work. If I ordered SCT would I have to tell them what I'm doing with the intake for them to set a tune in it for me then pay for another if I wanted to put the long tubes on? If I have to buy a tuner then I'll wait to get a dyno pull until I feel I'm complete with everything I want to do with the car. I'm a newb to all of this.

Whatever my second question? Is that a legit concern?

Tuners are awsome and should be included in your first mods. My predator came with a few "canned tunes" for different intakes and also included some to change transmission line pressure and shift points. There pretty easy to use and let you change parameters in your tune to adjust for speedo for tire size and rear end gears, ignition timing and what not. You don't have to mess with these parameters if you don't want. But as you add simple bolt on mods you can get reputable tuners to adjust your tune for these items. Another nice thing about the tuners is that when you get it dynoed they can upload the tune for you in your tuner. Most tuners allow at least 3 custom tunes to be held in it. I don't think there are many people on these forums who don't have one. The predator that I have is pretty basic and in hindsight I think I should have gone with SCT. It seems like their tuners are a little more versatile.

As far as your second question. Most of these hoods take into consideration your concerns and I wouldn't worry too much about it.

91mini · Feb 12, 2009

Is it easy to put in this tune for the ram air for someone new to it?

NastyStang113 · Feb 12, 2009

Order from a place like VMP Tuning. Xcal3 with "custom" mail order tunes for the ram air intake. All you have to do is plug the tuner into the ODBII port and follow the on screen directions. It takes five minutes at the most. It's the easiest mod you'll ever do.

07 Boss said:
What's he going to do with a mail order tune and no tuner?

What are you talking about? I'm saying order a tuner with mail order tunes. Come on ...

91mini · Feb 12, 2009

I'm full of questions and here's another. Whenever I need another tune, for instance when I get get my long tubes, do I have to pay each time I add a part to get a new tune? I have always looked into the tuners just from the good things I here about them and how much better they run with just the 93 octane programed in. I pump only 93 in my car anyway so it would definabtly help there. I also want to get 4:10's in the future and from an early post I can adjust that easily so that's also a plus.

NastyStang113 · Feb 12, 2009

Depending on the mod, how long ago you ordered, etc will determine if they'll give you an updated tune. Justin with VMP Tuning, Doug from Bama, and Brenspeed will give you updated tunes I believe. I know Justin will if it's within six months and you're not going from bolt ons to a forced induction set-up. I believe Brenspeed will give you updates if you buy the parts from them. I think Doug does the same thing as Justin but you'd have to ask him to make sure.

Justin01 · Feb 12, 2009

I was looking at this same hood. But cervini says you don't NEED a tune. your not changing the MAF housing so why would you need one? I understand more HP and better shifts for auto, but it isn't a REQUIRED item right?

91mini · Feb 12, 2009

Justin01 said:
I was looking at this same hood. But cervini says you don't NEED a tune. your not changing the MAF housing so why would you need one? I understand more HP and better shifts for auto, but it isn't a REQUIRED item right?

Your right, there website claims that you don't need a tune with this ram air. I was just wondering because I heard that said on this forum before for other products that claim you don't need a tune. Some members still said that they would not believe that and to get a tune. That's why I ask. From the looks of the ram air on the Cervinis model its just a molded plastic that goes straight to the airbox.

Justin01 · Feb 12, 2009

91mini said:
Some members still said that they would not believe that and to get a tune.

It was my understanding that you needed a tune because the MAF housing is replaced with a substantially larger unit. If your looking for the extra horsepower now you could do it, but I don't think cervini's would post that all over their product if it wasn't true. Especially given their reputation. (great!!)

NastyStang113 · Feb 12, 2009

I stand corrected. I thought the Cervinis came with a new maf tube. It might be fine.

chad9350 · Feb 13, 2009

Ive been running the hood/ram-air for 2 years...

Ive been running the hood/ram-air for 2 years...

no problems w/ water or anything else.... does NOT need a tune.

Just ordered my new hood..

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