Some dumb questions about the new 5.0's

[BERT]

Would I have to get the car tuned if just put a K&N filter on it?

[SonicblueGT03]

Would I have to get the car tuned if just put a K&N filter on it?

No. Drop in filters do not need to be tuned for.

[BERT]

No. Drop in filters do not need to be tuned for.

That's good. So why do you have to have it tuned for the cold air kits?

[Big A]

That's good. So why do you have to have it tuned for the cold air kits?

It's primarily a cost to benefit reasoning. A tune will help get the most out of a filter, but being that airflow isn't changed all that much, the benefit is minimal. On the other hand, since the airflow isn't changed much, the stock computer can still appropriately calculate the values.

You don't have to tune a CAI, but the benefit is far better, thus being more worth it.

[BERT]

It's primarily a cost to benefit reasoning. A tune will help get the most out of a filter, but being that airflow isn't changed all that much, the benefit is minimal. On the other hand, since the airflow isn't changed much, the stock computer can still appropriately calculate the values.

You don't have to tune a CAI, but the benefit is far better, thus being more worth it.

I guess I understand that

[46Tbird]

You don't have to tune a CAI, but the benefit is far better, thus being more worth it.

Actually, on these, you DO have to tune it for a CAI.

They offer some "no tune required" CAIs by partially blocking off the intake tube. Pretty stupid IMO.

The stock cold air box and paper filter works just fine. And you can put a tune on an otherwise stock car and get the same improvement in performance as tune+CAI.

[Craizie]

Actually, on these, you DO have to tune it for a CAI.

They offer some "no tune required" CAIs by partially blocking off the intake tube. Pretty stupid IMO.

The stock cold air box and paper filter works just fine. And you can put a tune on an otherwise stock car and get the same improvement in performance as tune+CAI.

They aren't stupid if you don't plan on voiding your warranty by getting a tune.

[46Tbird]

They aren't stupid if you don't plan on voiding your warranty by getting a tune.

Since there is no performance benefit at all (slight loss actually) and the dealer can void your warranty if the car comes in with it on, I would say Yes, they are stupid.

[Craizie]

Since there is no performance benefit at all (slight loss actually) and the dealer can void your warranty if the car comes in with it on, I would say Yes, they are stupid.

I've seen other dynos that say differently. You can put your old intake on and no one will ever know... Tune, not so much.

[BERT]

Since there is no performance benefit at all (slight loss actually) and the dealer can void your warranty if the car comes in with it on, I would say Yes, they are stupid.

No benefit from what? The CAI?

[BERT]

I've seen other dynos that say differently. You can put your old intake on and no one will ever know... Tune, not so much.

Yeah I've pretty much decided to just get the K&N and probably buy the 2011-12 GT500 axle back as far as near future plans go

[SonicblueGT03]

The gains have pretty much always come from the tune, and not the CAI. Some are better than others (Air Raid seems to be the power making leader at this time for the 5.0). The stock air box, and the stock headers/cats are amazingly efficient on these cars, and unless you're wringing the last hp out of one, changing either one is simply not needed. I ran axlebacks and a canned tune from VMP on my car at MIR 2 years ago, and with nothing else other than a set of 275/60 DR's, went 12 flat at 116. The stock stuff is pretty good.

[46Tbird]

No benefit from what? The CAI?

There is no benefit to be had from one of the "no tune required" CAIs. There are some gains to be had from a CAI with a tune (versus tune-only) but there is also a lot of heat soak with the open element CAIs.

I've seen other dynos that say differently.

The dyno is one thing, and track times are another. Find me some slips where someone picked up running one of those.

You can put your old intake on and no one will ever know... Tune, not so much.

True, as long as you have some advance notice that you'll be taking the car in. If there is some kind of mechanical failure on the side of the road your car will be towed to the dealership with a giant Red X under the hood.

[BERT]

There is no benefit to be had from one of the "no tune required" CAIs. There are some gains to be had from a CAI with a tune (versus tune-only) but there is also a lot of heat soak with the open element CAIs.

The dyno is one thing, and track times are another. Find me some slips where someone picked up running one of those.
True, as long as you have some advance notice that you'll be taking the car in. If there is some kind of mechanical failure on the side of the road your car will be towed to the dealership with a giant Red X under the hood.

That's what i'm trying to avoid over here. I at least want a few thousand miles on the car first lol

[talisman]

I thought Ford stopped denying warranty coverage for tunes after they figured out the cylinder problem in the 11-12s that was causing engine failure? I'd still probably wait for the warranty to be up anyway, but that's just me.