Interesting... CAI and 2010 GT

[Zer0 T]

Sorry, a little long winded but here goes...

I've been wanting to get a tuner for my 2010 GT but I have been kicking around the idea of a CAI. Figured I'd wait and get the tuner when I get the CAI.
After the Chickie and Pete's meet I really have the itch now!

Anyway, I started looking at CAI's on AM.com. I was leaning towards the C&L but I really like the look of the FRPP but noticed they were all 05-09 and nothing for the '10. For curiosity sake I went to the FRPP site and they also did not have a CAI listed for the 2010+. Instead they only show a high flow K&N drop in air filter and tune.

Wondering when/if a CAI would be available for the 2010, I called the FRPP Tech Hotline. I was told that one would not be made available. He said that due to new emission laws the stock airbox contained a carbon trap that Ford recommends should not be removed. If removed, the vehicle is out of spec for carbon emissions. I said, so what! lol, the guy was pretty cool. When I mentioned that other manufactures, like C&L, Steeda, and JLT, produce a CAI for the 2010 he replied that it was not necessary, the 2010 Mustang comes stock with a high flow airbox, there would be no gain from changing to an after market CAI and to just change to the K&N high flow filter and get the tune.

Armed with this info I googled around. Seems people are testing this theory at the track. They performed back to back runs, first stock, then with tune, then CAI with tune. Results were...they saw little to no increase in performance after adding the aftermarket CAI.

Interesting!!

I was wondering what you guys thought.
Any first hand experience with modding CAI on a 2010?

I know Tommys' was swapped out at the Chickie and Pete's meet with a C&L on his 2011 and he says he sees a big difference.

Thanks.

_

[daylight]

i have the roush CAI and i didnt notice much but the sound of more air being sucked in, then i got a tuner a month or so ago (93 race tune in now) and i can tell the tuner made a difference (not sure whther it was due to the CAI and tune or just the tune) but there was a difference nonetheless

[Hotshot]

Go snag a JLT CAI and tuner from American Muscle or Brenspeed. I'd love to run this one actually http://www.brenspeed.com/3000jlt10.html

[RobtRoma]

Originally Posted by Zer0 T

Results were...they saw little to no increase in performance after adding the aftermarket CAI.

I had read a few months back on one of the other Mustang sites that the 2010's came with a CAI from the factory and there was little if any benefit to swapping it out. I can't remember where I saw it though and I can't confirm this from any personal experience. Just thought I'd share what I've read...

[Liftedbronco]

why dont you check out blowbyracing. Give them a call, talk to John. They can set you up with the best cai, and a custom tune preloaded in a sct tuner thats exactly designed for your car and the mods it has/will have.

but one thing to keep in mind is, a cai isnt really the be all and end all. hell, if you can even feel a difference, you're a better man than i. its just one little piece in the puzzle

[Zer0 T]

Originally Posted by RobtRoma

I had read a few months back on one of the other Mustang sites that the 2010's came with a CAI from the factory and there was little if any benefit to swapping it out.

That's my point/question exactly! The 2010 does come with a factory CAI installed, but does it provide equivalent air flow in comparison to an after market model (like Hotshot suggests). According to the Ford tech, it does.

Thanks for the input.

_

[Liftedbronco]

the benefit from a cai has always been miniscule at best anyway

[BlkCoyote]

Ya, to be honest I just swapped mine out for a airaid cai, and notice no difference, just looks pretty in the engine bay thats about it. You will prob get the same effect out of a K&N panel filter... The money you would spend on an intake just get an axle back or a tune designed to work with your factory airbox.

[Zer0 T]

Hmmm, thats a little discouraging. A little too late too. lol I just ordered a CAI and tuner from american muscle this morning.

I had emailed the Bama tune guys at AM...he said I should see nicer gains out of CAI kit and tune than just the K&N filter and tune. Hopefully he wasn't just steering me towards buying the intake. Didn't seem like that, anyway.

We'll see how it goes. thnx

_

[NickSezz]

It all has to do with the size of the mass air flow sensor housing. I don't know how they all compare though, but that's what makes a CAI perform better than the stock air box on the 4.0 V6. The 2010 may just come with a bigger housing and different tune to get the extra power like the 05-09 guys have been doing all along.