SCT X4 tuner?

Clark said:

I just got my '07 4.6L with 5 speed AT two months ago. I didn't have much information from the dealer about previous mods (if any). I purchased the SCT x4 tuner, requested a 91 performance tune and noticed crisper response along with sharper and consistent AT shifts. Even a little bit better MPG. I plan to get a CAI before the year is out and will request a new tune before installing. This is all new to me. My other Mustang is a '67 coupe. All I do there is get out the timing light, vacuum gauge, and adjust the carb and I'm a happy guy. I appreciate all the conversation here guys thanks for helping out a rookie.

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That was back in the day!! I'm old too.

gray2014gt said:

Hard to spend around $2k just to have long tubes.

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It does make a difference though. It cost money to go fast.

skwerl said:

A CAI won't improve air flow over the stock air filter until you get over about 500hp or so. And most CAI kits are more like a hot air intake, as they suck more hot air from under the hood than the stock setup. So if you want to buy one for looks while showing off at the weekend car shows, fine. Otherwise save your money for performance mods that actually improve performance.

And before anyone starts in with the 'proven results' claims on the advertising, keep in mind that the gains are from the accompanying tune and not the CAI. If you already have the tune then the CAI will do nothing.

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So give me some rope here...I got some good results with the 91 performance tune but unless I want to invest in some solid (and expensive) mods, I shouldn't get a CAI for now since I am not going to notice any appreciable results? I'm not interested in blowing any doors off, I just want to maximize what I have. I thought that tuner and CAI were pretty much the first basic mods most make on their S197.

Daniel Roberson said:

CAI and tune in my opinion are one of the best things you can do for starts in my humble opinion. 4.10 gears are good too but you will need the tuner to reset if you are on stock tires.

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Did you notice a difference going to 4.10 gears? I have stock tires and I noticed it was an option when I request a tune.

Clark said:

Did you notice a difference going to 4.10 gears? I have stock tires and I noticed it was an option when I request a tune.

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yes, proven for 15 years... just search the site.

FYI, I will be comparing (by laptime and driver impressions) at NJMP Thunderbolt this weekend.
Stock tune, stock tune with 93 octane file provided by SCT, and custom tune based off the Control pack strategy. (CAI only this time) I tested CAI vs stock airbox at WGI, no difference in laptimes.

All three have a definite "personality" for the lack of better words. But the SOP dyno says there is neglegible difference in power, mostly differ with the throttle response in street driving.

Gears: started with 3.73, than 3.90, and now 3.55s are installed. Unless drag racing is your thing, you dont want to go above 3.73s IMO.

Clark said:

Did you notice a difference going to 4.10 gears? I have stock tires and I noticed it was an option when I request a tune.

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Hell yes, quicker in all low end and high end. Plus 4.10 gears is a must if you eventually get different cams but I wouldn't recommend that unless you had long-tube headers.

Just remember, when you go fast, you got to have good brakes.

What kind of brakes do you recommend. I saw some today that was eight thousand can I make an upgrade without spending another 10 grand?

If your going road racing you will need to upgrade the brakes for endurance on the track. If your talking about drag racing the stock brakes are just fine as they come from the factory.

Thanks, man!

Steeda cold air intake, SCT tuner and tunes for life, they will send you a new tune if you make changes to the vehicle at no additional charge. Great drive ability and wide open performance. I have been modifying Coyote engines for 10 years, this combo works. Check out their website and the reviews, have been using Steeda parts of all types for years, they work directly with Ford. Best bang for the buck. Going from stock to this combo is a game changer.

Midlife Crises said:

If your going road racing you will need to upgrade the brakes for endurance on the track. If your talking about drag racing the stock brakes are just fine as they come from the factory.

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In going through junk yards looking for a Track Apps Cluster, there were lots of front end damaged Coyotes. Very few had Brembo brakes.

steathv said:

Steeda cold air intake, SCT tuner and tunes for life, they will send you a new tune if you make changes to the vehicle at no additional charge. Great drive ability and wide open performance. I have been modifying Coyote engines for 10 years, this combo works. Check out their website and the reviews, have been using Steeda parts of all types for years, they work directly with Ford. Best bang for the buck. Going from stock to this combo is a game changer.

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Got some dyno numbers before and after CAI?
My testing showed me no detectable difference between stock airbox and CAI based on laptimes.

In my opinion, I would get a CAI with the tune. I get my tunes with Brenspeed. If you buy a part they will update your tune for free. I started like you then eventually got the fever which took a poor bastard like me a while to do but eventually went full bolt-on and supercharged!! Dino here has an excellent chart on what all the mods do. I started with the CAI/tune and then underdrive pullys.

Juice said:

Got some dyno numbers before and after CAI?
My testing showed me no detectable difference between stock airbox and CAI based on laptimes.

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Just today my outside air temp was 69 degrees and the intake air was 72 after 1 hour of driving. That is with a completely stock air box system in a 2014 Mustang GT Base. The big difference I notice is when it's 100 outside. Then it's 112 intake air.

Daniel Roberson said:

In my opinion, I would get a CAI with the tune. I get my tunes with Brenspeed. If you buy a part they will update your tune for free. I started like you then eventually got the fever which took a poor bastard like me a while to do but eventually went full bolt-on and supercharged!! Dino here has an excellent chart on what all the mods do. I started with the CAI/tune and then underdrive pullys.

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From the seller's point of view, Tune = performance. CAI = profit.