so call me a noob

[guitargod331]

So a couple of weeks ago I bought the first mustang I've had in a few years, and this 4.6L (01 GT) appears to be quite different from the 5.0-turned-carbureted I had back then.
I've spent a few days reading old posts and such, and have a couple of quick q's as this is the first "modern" car I've ever planned to mod...
First off, is dropping the $150 to $200 on a CAI really worthwhile, or will going to Autozone and getting a cone filter to replace the stock air box do the same amount of good on this car?
Second, I've been reading up on tuning software. Is the Sniper programmer still a good buy, or is there a generally better option? (I'd like to stick with something like this that can be programmed and re-programmed so it can grow along with my car, rather than having to send off for a new tune)
Thanks in advance

 

[laserstang21]

if you get a cai dont get an aluminum one. get a k&n cai or jlt cai. from wat i hear the sniper tuning softwear is really good to work with and is worth it

 

[LaserSVT]

n00b

CAI=minimal gains
Any handheald can reprogram. I wana try Sniper cause I can use it on my Mark VIII and Cobra. SCT is prolly the leader on here though

 

[2002BLGT]

if any of you guys have questions about Sniper Tuning hit me up , [email protected]

 

[guitargod331]

if you get a cai dont get an aluminum one. get a k&n cai or jlt cai.

This is one more reason I'm skeptical of the entire CAI idea. If the metal CAI's absorb more heat, then basically by buying a K&N or JLT or SBT or whatever brand is out there, I'm replacing a plastic tube feeding air into the throttle body with another plastic tube of approximately the same size and shape. Why not just the cone filter and call it a day as far as air intake is concerned?

 

[2002BLGT]

This is one more reason I'm skeptical of the entire CAI idea. If the metal CAI's absorb more heat, then basically by buying a K&N or JLT or SBT or whatever brand is out there, I'm replacing a plastic tube feeding air into the throttle body with another plastic tube of approximately the same size and shape. Why not just the cone filter and call it a day as far as air intake is concerned?

stock tube is actually a rubber type material and will suck closed if your engine is pulling in enough air , the hard plastic tubes on the K&N and others will not , S&Bs are excellent for the money by the way

 

[BurningRubber]

Plastic or metal doesnt make a difference.

Diameter and smoothness of bends is where its at.


Either way, expect minimal gains on a near stock car if you get a CAI.

Your best bet for feeling something after a modification is this:

#1: Gears.

#2: Exhaust. If you are doing headers, longtubes offer the best gains. Replacing the stock catted midpipe with an aftermarket 2.5" midpipe (H, X, or Prochamber) will be a nice improvment over the stocker. Catbacks wont do much, but it does help to upgrade to a full 2.5" system over the 2.25" stock system... plus thats where all the sound is at.

#3: Tuning. Its best to wait untill you have a few mods done before you get a tune, as you don't want to tune the car and then add a bunch of stuff on. You really wont get the full effect.

 

[LaserSVT]

stock tube is actually a rubber type material and will suck closed if your engine is pulling in enough air , the hard plastic tubes on the K&N and others will not , S&Bs are excellent for the money by the way

I remember seeing a Whipple Cobra running 18-19 psi and on the Dyno you could see the stock intake pipe collapsing. Wish I could fine it again.

 

[san~man]

I somehow doubt an n/a engine could collapse the stock air inlet tube. Someone prove me wrong.

 

[guitargod331]

I somehow doubt an n/a engine could collapse the stock air inlet tube. Someone prove me wrong.

My exact thoughts, especially when he said it was running 18 lbs. I know a CAI doesn't really give much gain on pretty much any car, which is why I'm unsure about spending 200 bucks vs. 30 on just a cone filter. Especially since the CAI's on the market seem to put the filter right back in the same place as the stocker.

 

[GettinThere]

Why not just the cone filter and call it a day as far as air intake is concerned?

I couldn't agree more.

#3: Tuning. Its best to wait untill you have a few mods done before you get a tune, as you don't want to tune the car and then add a bunch of stuff on. You really wont get the full effect.

True, but if I could do it all over again, I would start with the tuner, then gears (so speedo correction is not an issue), then exhaust (so mil elims are not an issue). Of course, if you have the money, get the gears and tuner at the same time.

 

[BurningRubber]

True, but if I could do it all over again, I would start with the tuner, then gears (so speedo correction is not an issue), then exhaust (so mil elims are not an issue). Of course, if you have the money, get the gears and tuner at the same time.

Good point. I bought my Diablosport before I got my gears for that very reason.

I had it for a few months before I put the gears in, but I would have needed it before that point anyway. I allready had a few bolt ons so it did help out actually tuning it...