Who's using what cold air intake

Curiosity for me as I have on order an air tech cold air intake on its way.
I saw the usual suspects k&n, roush etc etc and some were in a box like the k&n vortec
So my curiosity was what's the general opinion over stock.
And anyone found the holy grail of intakes yet?
11s

The best cold air intake for an '11-'14 V6 is the one it that came with from the factory since it already flows enough air for that engine, and the lower airbox is the same as that of the GT.

That same air intake is used on the coyote.
I have compared that one to a JLT2, tune required CAI. I cannot see any improvement with the CAI, based on laptimes at several tracks.
Both heat soak sitting idling, both drop to near ambient temp driving.
Any questions? lol

Dino Dino Bambino said:

The best cold air intake for an '11-'14 V6 is the one it that came with from the factory since it already flows enough air for that engine, and the lower airbox is the same as that of the GT.

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My 2012 Cyclone had a K&N Typhoon CAI installed by the previous owner. It is sealed and uses the same front intake as the stock one. I can't imagine it is not at least as good as the stock unit. It could be a little better don't you think?

Robert Larimer said:

My 2012 Cyclone had a K&N Typhoon CAI installed by the previous owner. It is sealed and uses the same front intake as the stock one. I can't imagine it is not at least as good as the stock unit. It could be a little better don't you think?

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Only if the stock intake is actually restrictive, and it would only matter near red line.
You would need a vacuum guage installed between the throttle body and air filter. Unless you get a measurable amount of vacuum with the stock air intake, a CAI will do nothing. Except make some noise.

ready, fire, aim...

stkjock said:

ready, fire, aim...

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Lol, I see what you did there…


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All I ever read about a cold air intake is its supposed to give an extra 5 BHP?

Seriously, I have a Roush cold air inlet on my GT. It works real well. Takes ambient air in through the core support, filters it with a nice big round washable filter and then heats it nicely as it goes over top of the engine on its way to the throttle body. A stupid, expensive air inlet warmer. Looks great in photo and on a parts list!

Midlife Crises said:

Seriously, I have a Roush cold air inlet on my GT. It works real well. Takes ambient air in through the core support, filters it with a nice big round washable filter and then heats it nicely as it goes over top of the engine on its way to the throttle body. A stupid, expensive air inlet warmer. Looks great in photo and on a parts list!

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Seriously, there is negligible temp difference stock vs cai.
Have stock air box on now. Idling for 15 min, IAT hit 60* on a 40* day. Cruise a few minutes,IIAT dropped to near ambient temp.

I have an Airaid intake. It was much cheaper than a closed box intake which I would have preferred but the price difference was like $200 here in Canada. Also I prefer a plastic tube over metal. Also wrapped the tube with heat reflective tape to reduce heat soak.

Juice said:

Only if the stock intake is actually restrictive, and it would only matter near red line.
You would need a vacuum guage installed between the throttle body and air filter. Unless you get a measurable amount of vacuum with the stock air intake, a CAI will do nothing. Except make some noise.

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The typhoon is a sealed system so there is no "noise". All intakes have some vacuum BTW. There are less flow disturbances/restrictions in the Typhoon's intake tube than the stock one though.

Robert Larimer said:

The typhoon is a sealed system so there is no "noise". All intakes have some vacuum BTW. There are less flow disturbances/restrictions in the Typhoon's intake tube than the stock one though.

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Once more, no measurable impact on laptimes, where it matters.

One thing I’ve always enjoyed is when people tell me they have an air inlet (or exhaust) that makes more power and do’s not require a tune adjustment. If it is affective it will require a tune adjustment to take full advantage of it or it really didn’t do a darn thing.

The "tune required" CAIs, only mean that the MAF transfer needs to be updated. This is the only 'required' change to run it. This has zero affect on power by itself, and I do not consider it as actual tuning. There is no change to fuel or timing.
Now, if there are changes made to fuel and timing when the CAI is added, and there are power gains, those gains did not come from the CAI. Those same tune changes could have been applied without the CAI.

Everyone says it's the tune that you get not the CAI. Who knows but it made a difference on mine when I wasn't supercharged. First I had a 84mm C/L? and then the 100mm plus JLT 3. I really don't think the size of the cold air intake means diddly squat.

elevensies said:

Curiosity for me as I have on order an air tech cold air intake on its way.
I saw the usual suspects k&n, roush etc etc and some were in a box like the k&n vortec
So my curiosity was what's the general opinion over stock.
And anyone found the holy grail of intakes yet?
11s

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Have an air raid no noticebale difference at first other than sound added a ram air hood sealed the above the air box well so no lost airflow as the air goes through the scoop. Deeper sound sounds like it has headers, which I plan to add, slight more punch nothing major inlet air temp dropped 3 degrees.

If i could run a stock airbox on my CJ setup i would.

Daniel Roberson said:

Everyone says it's the tune that you get not the CAI. Who knows but it made a difference on mine when I wasn't supercharged. First I had a 84mm C/L? and then the 100mm plus JLT 3. I really don't think the size of the cold air intake means diddly squat.

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Most of the HP gain from a CAI/tune combo does indeed come from the tune. Mind you, a JLT 110mm unit with its monster sized conical filter does impress your buddies especially when you rev up the engine and hear it sucking in huge gobs of air. The induction roar when you step on the gas can be rather intoxicating.

IMHO..
Logically an unwrapped tube (stock or aftermarket..plastic or aluminum) will soak engine heat..though not directly on top of the engine. Obvious too is that an unsealed air box will receive under the hood heated air and gone is the title of COLD air intake.
Therefore it SEEMS logical that a sealed air box with a larger diameter plastic tube wrapped (or insulated) "should" deliver a larger amount of lower inlet air to the engine. But does actual function follow logic?.. How many owners actually have the other items put in place to make proper use of the larger volume of cooler air?.. throttle body, ported intakes, larger fuel injectors and pump, hotter spark, long tube headers and yes a tune.. I suggest the answer is few have everything in place that would then probably REQUIRE a cai.
Also hypothetically (bordering on hypocritically lol) I ask myself.. I mean you .. if you're not racing your mustang then what is your end goal by adding performance parts anyway? It certainly not to save gas or make your daily driver more comfortable or quieter.
(Btw.. advice? arguments? ..whatever.. alot exist on the installing and performance gains (or no gains) of any of the above mentioned too.. so noted and moving on. lol)
So how much use is this larger volume but more important to the conversation on hand is how much positive effect does the marginally cooler air have on an otherwise stock engines performance?
I have an Airaid and I can tell you from firsthand experience that other than a nicer sound while accelerating there is no notable performance difference on an otherwise stock engine.. that includes sotp or mpg. With confidence I say to you prospective buyers ..Installing a cai ALONE you are making a modification to looks and sound and not performance.

For the record.. OF COURSE the tune or tuning is what makes the difference of performance when you add a "CAI" or any additions (that require a tune).. if said add-on requires a tune it's saying "to get the optimal benefit from this product you must let your engine know it's there or it will not run or run like crap".
But hey just my opinion.. and really who cares what I think.