Hi guys, I'm very serious about buying a new exhaust set up and a Cold Air Intake for my 05 Mustang V6. I'm trying to do a little research before buying anything. Im thinking about getting the Steeda Cold Air Intake and SCT X3 Combo from americanmuscle.com. Does anyone have this? Also to be perfectly honest I'm not very sure about how the whole thing works. Should I be just getting a CAI without the X3 handheld and just taking it into a shop and having them tune it for me because I have no idea how to use the tuner!? Im also just as interested in buying a new exhaust system for my car and I'm wondering how far should I go? (all the way to new headers? or just a new cat-back?) I want a dual exhaust but don't know if I want/need a "true dual". Does anyone have any recomendations for what type/brand of exhaust I should be getting? (Also with a CAI in mind) Should I wait on the CAI until after I get the exhaust? Thanks everyone!

 

just get the hand held tuner its not worth getting a dyno tune just just a CAI. Everyone can figure out how to use a tuner all you do is plug it into the computer port which in the 99-04 is by the steering wheel (not sure about the 05+ but you can just call and ask where the computer port is if you can't find it) then you just select install tune and its that easy.

 

the CAI/tuner combo is a nice power combo for 05+ cars. Its very easy to install a tune with a hand held flasher and they come with instructions so dont worry. As per the exhaust it depends what you want, just some more sound and little power gain? or all the power you can get out of the exhaust system.

 

honestly I'm mostly going for sound. A little power would be a bonus. I don't want to lessen the power though. Thanks for the help

 

if its mostly for sound go for a simple axle back swap. They are cheap and they say it adds alot of power but its really a small amount.

 

But I really want the dual look, so I think I'm going to get a cat back and cut out the bumper. I'm thinking about a pypes exhaust. http://www.americanmuscle.com/pypes-...l-catback.html
Any other recomendations as to which type I should be buying? Also CAI before or after the exhaust?

 

SLP Loudmouth 1 dude...second to none!

 

if your an auto get the tuner and the cai. that way it will help your shifts from your auto tranny and make them better.

if your a manual spend the money on the exhaust if you want it. the tuner isnt going to do much for you with the manual.

the tuner is something i would get after you have finish all the bolt-ons.


a bolt-ons i will sugguest for hp for the money is a ASP 25% UDP. 7-10rwhp gains and not that hard or expensive.

 

Thanks for all the advice! Through a little research and compromise, I've decided to just get a single, Borla Axle-Back exhaust. I'm hoping it will give some sweet sound to my exhaust!

For the CAI - I drive a manual. I don't really know what the hell this tuner is going to do, but the Steeda CAI that im looking at says I need it or I have to take it into a shop to tune it. I really know nothing about this so any insight would be really helpfull. Am I wrong to get the Steeda CAI? and if I do should I be buying the combo pack w/ tuner? Thanks (Also if someone could help explain to me what a tuner does!)

 

the tune is a necessity. The 05+ computers are VERY sensitive if you do not tune your car you will run into problems (along with the annoying light on the dash). This goes with many mods that are out for the 05+ stangs.

 

So is the 2005+ Mustang V6 Steeda Cold Air Intake and SCT X3 Combo what I should get?

 

yeah it really doesn't matter anyone you want

 

no, a steeda CAI you are paying for the name. buy a known ebay vendor brand and save $100 bucks both will gain the same HP.

the xcal3 is good or you can get the xcal 2 which i have and does everything i need. look at what both can do for you and decide which one you need. cause the xcal2 will be less money and might do everything you need.

 

he needs the tune because the car needs a tune for a CAI. Getting a combo is the way to go I would look into getting one of the combo's from www.vmptuning.com because then if you need a retune in the future at least you are already dealing with a professional tuner.

 

i must be confused. why would a CAI need a tune?

and even him just buying the xcal3 with tunes would still have that proffesional connection in it.

 

out of what his original post is asking i would say.

-ebay CAI
-midpipe/catback exhaust

and wait until you have all the bolt-ons you want before getting the xcal3 with tunes on it.

the xcal will not be needed til after all that IMO.

 

because the 05+ stangs are very sensitive they need a tune even after a simple modification like a CAI. Thats why most places sell them as combos because you need it.

 

that might be true. i sure dont see how though. most stock timing and A/F is left with room to mess with. meaning putting a CAI like a C&L perposely leans the a/f out alittle to get more power and doesnt require a tune. but is still safe a/f wise that your motor wont ping.

05's must be wierd.