[markag]

I'm trying to choose between a few different Airade intakes for my mustang. I've got a 2008 GT 4.6L. I'm looking at performance parts.com and they have several different airaid intakes listed that would fit my car. I'm trying to figure out which one is the best to go with.

I have to go with them because I have a gift card through them.

Based on American Muscles website, there is a "race" version and a regular "no tune required" version of the intake. I have a tuner already, and want the one that will give me the most power. Unfortunately, performanceparts.com lists them by part number, and the descriptions aren't as good.

Airaid 450-304 Intake (MXP) (oiled)
Airaid 450-304 Intake System - Performance Parts
-100mm MAF housing w/ 4.25" intake tube
-1300 CFM washable filter
-Not legal in california or other states

Airaid 450-172 Intake
Airaid 450-172 Intake System - Performance Parts
-No mention of MAF diameter or tube diameter
-Claims 400CFM more then stock

It appears they also have non-oiled versions of each. Don't know if oiled is better then non-oiled.

I'm thinking the MXP -304 intake system is the one to go with. I'm thinking that correlates to the "Race" system that american muscle sells. I just want to confirm before I order one. Does anyone with the "Race" intake from american muscle know what the airaid part number is for the intake?

 

[Beechkid]

In 2012 on jay Leno’s garage, when inquired, Fords Mustang Chief Engineer Dave Pericak specifically stated that the use of an aftermarket CAI will do nothing to gain any power. 2013 Mustang Boss 302 - Jay Leno's Garage - YouTube

Testand Corporation conducted an ISO standards test on automotive air filters which can be viewed at this link: Duramax Air Filter Testing * - Diesel Bombers. All I can say is this explains in detail the reason for

(Arlen) SPICER wrote,

“Now that I am not doing the tests and my objectivity is not necessary, let me explain my motivation. The reason I started this crusade was that I was seeing people spend a lot of money on aftermarket filters based on the word of a salesperson or based on the misleading, incomplete or outright deceiving information printed on boxes and in sales literature. Gentlemen and Ladies, Marketing and the lure of profit is VERY POWERFUL! "

If you do an online search for “air filter test” there is a lot of very good information. IMHO, the CAI units are NOT WORTH THE $$! Unless you are talking about a system that was specifically designed for a specific application there are very little hp/tq gains actually achieved in a street use vehicle and there are very few docs that these mfg’s can produce that actually show an increase in hp/tq in the power-band range of a relatively stock street vehicle.

I would avoid oil impregnated filters. While they have their purpose in off-road applications, Ford/GM/Dodge all have “watch-out” bulletins where the oil has contaminated intake sensors. - they even have a training video for the techs on this (flatratetech.com) .

If you look at the flow data, WIX HP filters flow 98+% of K&N and have a much smoother flow post filter plus excellent filtering, for a fraction of the price!

“After only 24 minutes the K&N had accumulated 221gms of dirt but passed 7.0gms. Compared to the AC, the K&N “plugged up” nearly 3 times faster, passed 18 times more dirt and captured 37% less dirt.”
The OE’s have an excellent air intake system...just because the HP filter flows more air, that will not make the engine suck in more....as the oem filter system already provides 100% of what the engine can take.

 

[2CylindersMore]

Yeah, what he said ^ . I've been reading on the same subject for about 6 months now and I don't see where a CAI really benefits on these newer cars. They are more for eye candy and that sucking sound when you slam the gas.....that's about it.

 

[markag]

The 2010+ cars, and especially the BOSS already have cold air intakes from the factory. I think that is why Ford is saying there is almost no performance gain from going aftermarket. However, 2005-2009's have a pretty good and documented improvement by going with an aftermarket intake. Many of the aftermarket intakes have larger then stock MAF diameters, which also allows a larger volume of air to pass through. More air equals more power.

I'm asking which of the airaid kits I linked to above would be the "race" kit from american muscle. I'm assuming it is the 100mm MAF one, but I would hate to order one and find it is the more restrictive "No tune required" intake kit. American muscle does not show the manufacturer part number on their website, so I can't cross reference them myself.

As far as filters go... It is known that you are taking on some risk when installing a performance air filter, but many people have taken that risk without ill effects. A good flowing filter will generally not filter as well. It seems like most mustang CAI kits come with an oiled filter.

 

[T.Wayne]

Do U

Do You have a Tuner?? The 90-100mm CAI Airaid is great for future MOD's.
It will help with flow but as you pick up say long tube headers or CMDP's you can see the CAI making a bigger difference.
These are just plain CFM facts. Some have 100mm CAI Ported and Polished heads and add 39lb injectors and a Boost A Pump with Long Tubes pushing some nice numbers and times.

The design after 2009 going into the 10 models 4.6 got a little make over in the intake area that yielded the 2010 4.6 more HP. The intake or CAI designed by Ford in the Bullitt made more HP from the factory.

T Wayne

 

[T.Wayne]

Did Not

Did not see at the bottom you run Bama Tunes your in good shape 100mm if you are going for future N/A MODS.

T Wayne

 

[markag]

Yep. I have a Bama tuner from AM with free tunes for life. I'm good to go with whatever intake I choose to get. It's funny that the 100mm intake is actually cheaper then the other one. That is what was throwing me off, that and the 2nd one I linked to in my first post doesn't have any mention of MAF size or CFM.

 

[JBert]

I'm guessing the -172 version is the "no tune required" and has the same MAF diameter as stock ; so the other one with the bigger MAF and tube would be the way to go. Also it is illegal in California, so that is a clue that it is more performance oriented. (this might simply be because it has an open box design, I think California requires a closed box so any burps from the intake are captured)

A phone call to Airaid is probabably the best way to get a clear answer.

 

[night rider]

Hi markag. I have the Airaid racer intake 4" no oil synthamax MXP series red filter no=AID-451-304 with a 94 custom tune. Throttle response is great and at lease 25 rwhp more and great sound.

Sent from my HTC One

 

[markag]

Hi markag. I have the Airaid racer intake 4" no oil synthamax MXP series red filter no=AID-451-304 with a 94 custom tune. Throttle response is great and at lease 25 rwhp more and great sound.

Sent from my HTC One

Thanks! Is that what American muscle sells? Performanceparts.com has that part number too.

 

[night rider]

My tuner guy got it for me at summit racing.

Sent from my HTC One

 

[green97probe]

Before buying the Airaid, consider the FRPP. I had both on my former 07 GT at different points, and I preferred the FRPP over the Airaid. The FRPP looked better, installed easier, and performed better. Both intakes were used with the preloaded Diablosport tunes. The other mail order tuner that I tried was a nightmare.

The Airaid 450-172 comes with Airaid's removable Modular Venturi Tube, which keeps the MAF diameter the same as stock allowing it to be run with the stock tune. The MVT can be removed for use only with a tune that accounts for the resulting larger MAF diameter. With the MVT left in place, it's a waste of money in my opinion. The "Race" version is the same intake, but without the MVT.

The FRPP CAI is very similar to what was used on the 08-09 Bullitt, and would be my choice again. It requires a custom tune, and I experienced better performance with the FRPP compared to the Airaid.

I've attached pictures of both intakes as a reference.

 

[markag]

Everything ive ever read says the FRPP Intake doesnt perform as well as others. I've heard that the JLT and Airaid race were the two best performing intakes.

 

[green97probe]

Everything ive ever read says the FRPP Intake doesnt perform as well as others. I've heard that the JLT and Airaid race were the two best performing intakes.

I know. I remember reading that too, but my experience was different. It could've been the tunes making the difference also. If I ever get back into an 05-09 GT, the FRPP CAI would be the first mod.

Don't get me wrong, the Airaid is a great product. However, the FRPP worked out better for me.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I've got the Roush CAI which is the exact same as the Airaid and its great.

I think the only difference between the 2 you're looking at is one has a removable sleeve that fits inside the tube where the MAF is so you can run a factory tune, and one doesn't.

Mine came with the sleeve and I removed it.

Opinions are like "a"holes on CAI's. Most people who like the FRPP say its because it seals the airbox better under the hood. But if you notice the Airaid/Roush has a straighter and wider tube. I really don't know if that makes a difference. I'm sure with the correct tune its not a big deal. Ski did a great right up on CAI's and concluded the most important part of a CAI is the temp of the air going in the box. At idle those airboxes and tubes all heat up so the sealed areas are not as important as the how well the cool air is getting into them.

 

[alleymad95GT]

I think the only difference between the 2 you're looking at is one has a removable sleeve that fits inside the tube where the MAF is so you can run a factory tune, and one doesn't.

I believe this is accurate. It is also the explanation as to why the "no tune needed" one costs more - there is an extra part in there that you have to pay for...

 

[markag]

I ended up ordering the 450-304 intake.

I didn't realize they both used the same tube, but the other one had the insert and the this one doesn't. I guess that makes sense. I think the C&L intake does that too if I'm not mistaken.

I've got a tuner, and tunes for life from AM, so I don't need the insert. It saved me $20 to get the the -304 intake, so I'm happy. I don't know when I will receive it. I can't wait for it to get here though. It should be fun

 

[T.Wayne]

Cool

Just me get some CRC TB cleaner and MAF cleaner. Then reprogram the TB after taking the negative terminal off and let it sit for 20 minutes before you clean everything up.
To reprogram or calibrate the TB after the new Tune is reprogrammed just bring the key to power but do not start push the accelerator pedal slowly to the floor and hold just a second or 2 then slowly bring to top, or neutral position turn off key wait a couple of seconds then start.

Now some would say return to stock tune then load the updated Tune for the new CAI update and run 93 octane Tune to get your money worth.

The idea behind taking the negative cable off for 20 minutes is to get the adaptive learning reset and it will adapt to the new settings that the Tune brings to the table.

I have done it and just go out and get a little aggressive. I let it warm up a little in this cool weather at idle then go stretch that Pony's legs a little.
You will like the results and getting on the HWY. a breeze. Downshifts to make a nice pass is effortless.


T Wayne

 

[markag]

I got my intake!

I got the intake in yesterday! I had a commitment that kept me from getting home until 9:40 at night. I still got the intake installed. It didn't take long. The hardest part was the cutting the old tube connectors for that tube that runs to the passenger valve cover. I loaded up my tunes. I didn't do anything special. I just loaded the new tune on top of the old tune.

It is -30 wind chill here, so I can't say for sure if this if from the intake or from the cold, but I was breaking the tires loose in 2nd gear where I haven't been doing that before. I can feel that the car has a little more pep to it, and I can't wait for warm weather and dry roads to really get some full throttle 0-60 pulls in.

Please forgive the dirty engine bay, its cold and I haven't washed the engine bay out since the fall.