I've got a '05 GT automatic. After market wheels, tires and flowmasters made me a little different than all the guys on the block. I tried the computer chip but wasn't happy. It was a lot faster when I hammered it but not much fun driving around town... to peaky. I'm not a racer but am looking to add something. I'm getting conflicting opinions on a CAI. Is it worth doing and if so which one?? Thanks for any advice.

 

So did you actually get a chip or a hand held tuner?

I would so for sure get a CAI with a tune....the 3v cars can pick up 15rwhp and tq with just those two mods. Sometimes when adding mods you can lose some low end torque....I'm pretty sure I did as well, but if you want to gain that back and do a real kick in the pants of a mod....get a set of 4:10 gears.

 

My problem is that I'm a high mileage drive and use the car for my work. I'm sure lower gears would add to the giddy up but kill the mileage. I'm far from an expert but all of the CAI units I've looked seem to be drawing air from inside the engine compartment. To be really effective you'd need outside air. Some units claim you need a retune and some don't. The onboard computer and sensors should certainly be able to handle a little more cooler air. I'm confused.

 

the 3v engines are really sensitive and just adding a CAI can throw off the Air to Fuel ratio....so that's why a tune is needed. I understand the gears issue....I'm in the same position, plus the install costs are way too high around here.

I'm not an expert either, but I can tell you the CAI and tune combo for the
05+ GT's are no joke. If you had a 99-04 GT we'd all tell you not to waste your money with a CAI, but they actually work on 3v and 4 valve cars. There aren't too many 05+ GT owners on this site, but bump around some of the other sites and see if you can find some dyno results.

 

I would drop in some gears . If you added bigger aftermarket wheels they are slowing you down unless they come in real close to height and weight of the stockers. A v8 mustang and fuel efficiency do not go hand and hand thats why there are compacts that weigh less and have smaller engines so dont worry about MPG. Going fast is another luxury in life you dont need it but want it so go have some fun life is short and you cant take those few dollars that you will save with you LOL.

 

After listening to all the advice I think gears might be the was to go. With the stock gears the pony might go 140 (downhill after killing the speed limiter) and I'm interested in 0-70. I'm still confused about the stock computer and sensors not being able to handle a CAI. I live in San Diego. The only thing we worry about is the temp falling below 50 and skin cancer from the sun. Now I know that the same '05 Mustang runs fine back east when the temp is 0 minus freeze your *** off. Why does it require a retune unless we are just dicking with normal speed tuning stuff??

 

The new 3v is very sensitive to changes in airflow and the flybywire throttle doesnt help any. Just check what Steeda states and they work closly with Ford when they develope products so I would be weary of any 05 and up CAI that does not require a tune.

I would wait until the warranty expires then put on several bolt-ons at the same time then get it tunned. If you want to bypass the small stuff get gears now and save up for a Turbo,SC or KB later on.

 

your air to fuel ratio has nothing to do with the temp outside....it has to do with the amount of air flow going into the engine. Whenever you add an after market intake, catback, mid pipe or headers your essentially bringing more air into the engine and more air flow=more power. When you bring in more air in the air to fuel ratio gets way out of whack and can cause your engine to run really lean, which can be dangerous to your engine.

For instance, I added a CAI, mid-pipe and catback to my car. I took it straight to the dyno and the A/F ratio was around 16.1, which is WAY WAY to lean, so lean in fact the dyno tuner cut off the run to avoid damage to the engine. Your A/F ratio should stay within that 12.0-13.0 range to be safe, and that's why the hand held tuner is so important. It's a great tool to have really.....it will read codes, you can change the tune if you add different gears so your speedo is correct.....you can do all kinds of things with it. great investment, especially if you plan on modding the car.

 

The only intakes worth a poop on the 05+ cars are ones that have to be tuned to work right. Check out what justin at VMPtuning.com has package wise.

http://www.vmptuning.com/store/index...parent=92&pg=1