2005 V6 Cold air intake

I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold air intake kit to buy
for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N ones which are
cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or models I should look
out for or avoid?

Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any particular brand
provides?

p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.

On Jun 3, 5:03*am, davea > wrote:
> I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold air intake kit to buy
> for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N ones which are
> cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or models I should look
> out for or avoid?
>
> Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any particular brand
> provides?
>
> p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.

I'm not familiar with the new body style OR the V6, but I'll tell ya
what I've learned through working on a 92, 93, and an 89 5.0. What a
lot of companies sell as a cold-air kit puts the filter under the
hood. The K&N FIPK does this. Even the relatively restrictive stock
setup pulls from inside the fender. I'm sure the K&N kit flows
better, but drive your car for an hour in rush hour, pull over and
open the hood. Hold your hand in the spot under the hood where the
K&N cone would mount. Is it hotter or cooler than the outside air?
The kit that worked best for me was the BBK in-fender cold-air kit. My
kit is
http://www.bbkperformance.com/produc...ke-system.html,
I'm sure yours would be similar.

The only thing is I was looking at the BBK site for my kit, and they
claim a 20hp increase. Don't believe everything you read. If you had
a race-prepped 306 making serious power still on the stock air filter
and intake, their kit would 'unbottle' some good numbers, but
otherwise... not so much.

Good luck, and have fun!!

Jim C wrote:
> On Jun 3, 5:03 am, davea > wrote:
>> I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold air intake kit to
>> buy for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N ones which are
>> cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or models I should
>> look out for or avoid?
>>
>> Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any particular brand
>> provides?
>>
>> p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.
>
> I'm not familiar with the new body style OR the V6, but I'll tell ya
> what I've learned through working on a 92, 93, and an 89 5.0. What
> a
> lot of companies sell as a cold-air kit puts the filter under the
> hood. The K&N FIPK does this. Even the relatively restrictive
> stock
> setup pulls from inside the fender. I'm sure the K&N kit flows
> better, but drive your car for an hour in rush hour, pull over and
> open the hood. Hold your hand in the spot under the hood where the
> K&N cone would mount. Is it hotter or cooler than the outside air?
> The kit that worked best for me was the BBK in-fender cold-air kit.
> My
> kit is
> http://www.bbkperformance.com/produc...ke-system.html,
> I'm sure yours would be similar.
>
> The only thing is I was looking at the BBK site for my kit, and they
> claim a 20hp increase. Don't believe everything you read. If you
> had
> a race-prepped 306 making serious power still on the stock air
> filter
> and intake, their kit would 'unbottle' some good numbers, but
> otherwise... not so much.
>
> Good luck, and have fun!!

All that about "underhood", plus:

I've had a V6 and a jones for more HP for 18 months now, but still no
"CAI", cold air intake.

In order of importance:
Almost any claim related to CAI HP increase is posited on requiring a
"tune" which requires a TUNER ($350-400)
K&N are among the few who offer tuneless "CAI", which is not really
that cool, or that "cool"
At least one major magazine did comparisons under stringent
conditions, and just one "CAI" actually was intaking significantly
cool air: Somebody's (Western?) RAM AIR kit*, that cost quite a bit
and for full effect requires an under-hood channeling system, another
hundred-plus dollars. But the mag decided it actually worked; takes
cool air from in front of the radiator, where it piles up waiting its
turn.

You figure a decent tune (requires a tuner, remember) will give you 20
rwhp, and cost (for example) $400; that's twenty dollars per HP
Adding a $200 "CAI" will increase HP by (optimistically) 5 rw HP
that's, uh, forty dollar per rwHP, and what have you got?

The S197 V6 is said to have 210 HP stock. Actual dyno statistics show
about 176-180 rwHP for stock, untuned engines.
I have a K&N drop-in filter, and at the time of the dyno run (on the
JBA Racing setup) a GT takeoff muffler and a BAMAchips 91 octane
Performance tune (via SCT 3 tuner).
My automatic 2006 Mustang gave results: 194.5 rwHP, 225 rwTQ.
I conject that a "CAI" would make that close to 200 rwHP, with
mail-order tunes.
Mr JBA said they more-or-less guarantee to get advertised HP up to
rwHP by tuning and adding full dual exhaust (another doesn't-pay-off
mod for the S197 V6: just a few horsepower for quite an investment in
money and hassle)

After all that, the best bang-for-buck is a tuner and and a decent
tune. Anything else (with noted exception) is pretty much feel-good
add-ons.

I finally did go for the dual exhausts, and I really, really like the
symmetrical look, and the stereo sound from back there. Otherwise, 14
eighth-mile drag race passes have demonstrated essentially no
improvement in performance related to the exhaust system. I do get a
lot more compliments on the sound, though (FRPP M-4230-V6 system: 100%
bolt-on, just a couple of cuts required), which to me may not be
totally justified, as the "x-pipe" and GTA mufflers are a little raspy
in mid-range.

*http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/05hvi.htm


--
Frank ess

On Jun 3, 3:04*pm, "Frank ess" > wrote:
> Jim C wrote:
> > On Jun 3, 5:03 am, davea > wrote:
> >> I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold air intake kit to
> >> buy for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N ones which are
> >> cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or models I should
> >> look out for or avoid?
>
> >> Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any particular brand
> >> provides?
>
> >> p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.
>
> > I'm not familiar with the new body style OR the V6, but I'll tell ya
> > what I've learned through working on a 92, 93, and an 89 5.0. *What
> > a
> > lot of companies sell as a cold-air kit puts the filter under the
> > hood. *The K&N FIPK does this. *Even the relatively restrictive
> > stock
> > setup pulls from inside the fender. *I'm sure the K&N kit flows
> > better, but drive your car for an hour in rush hour, pull over and
> > open the hood. *Hold your hand in the spot under the hood where the
> > K&N cone would mount. *Is it hotter or cooler than the outside air?
> > The kit that worked best for me was the BBK in-fender cold-air kit.
> > My
> > kit is
> >http://www.bbkperformance.com/produc...systems/ford-c...,
> > I'm sure yours would be similar.
>
> > The only thing is I was looking at the BBK site for my kit, and they
> > claim a 20hp increase. *Don't believe everything you read. *If you
> > had
> > a race-prepped 306 making serious power still on the stock air
> > filter
> > and intake, their kit would 'unbottle' some good numbers, but
> > otherwise... not so much.
>
> > Good luck, and have fun!!
>
> All that about "underhood", plus:
>
> I've had a V6 and a jones for more HP for 18 months now, but still no
> "CAI", cold air intake.
>
> In order of importance:
> Almost any claim related to CAI HP increase is posited on requiring a
> "tune" which requires a TUNER ($350-400)
> K&N are among the few who offer tuneless "CAI", which is not really
> that cool, or that "cool"
> At least one major magazine did comparisons under stringent
> conditions, and just one "CAI" actually was intaking significantly
> cool air: Somebody's (Western?) RAM AIR kit*, that cost quite a bit
> and for full effect requires an under-hood channeling system, another
> hundred-plus dollars. But the mag decided it actually worked; takes
> cool air from in front of the radiator, where it piles up waiting its
> turn.
>
> You figure a decent tune (requires a tuner, remember) will give you 20
> rwhp, and cost (for example) $400; that's twenty dollars per HP
> Adding a $200 "CAI" will increase HP by (optimistically) 5 rw HP
> that's, uh, forty dollar per rwHP, and what have you got?
>
> The S197 V6 is said to have 210 HP stock. Actual dyno statistics show
> about 176-180 rwHP for stock, untuned engines.
> I have a K&N drop-in filter, and at the time of the dyno run (on the
> JBA Racing setup) a GT takeoff muffler and a BAMAchips 91 octane
> Performance tune (via SCT 3 tuner).
> My automatic 2006 Mustang gave results: 194.5 rwHP, 225 rwTQ.
> I conject that a "CAI" would make that close to 200 rwHP, with
> mail-order tunes.
> Mr JBA said they more-or-less guarantee to get advertised HP up to
> rwHP by tuning and adding full dual exhaust (another doesn't-pay-off
> mod for the S197 V6: just a few horsepower for quite an investment in
> money and hassle)
>
> After all that, the best bang-for-buck is a tuner and and a decent
> tune. Anything else (with noted exception) is pretty much feel-good
> add-ons.
>
> I finally did go for the dual exhausts, and I really, really like the
> symmetrical look, and the stereo sound from back there. Otherwise, 14
> eighth-mile drag race passes have demonstrated essentially no
> improvement in performance related to the exhaust system. I do get a
> lot more compliments on the sound, though (FRPP M-4230-V6 system: 100%
> bolt-on, just a couple of cuts required), which to me may not be
> totally justified, as the "x-pipe" and GTA mufflers are a little raspy
> in mid-range.
>
> *http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/05hvi.htm
>
> --
> Frank ess- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Good stuff, Frank ess. The only thing I want to add is my .02 on the
hp #'s. I've heard a rule of thumb of 20% hp loss from the flywheel
back, which would explain the difference between advertised (at the
flywheel?) numbers versus measured rwHP. I've heard a chip / custom
tune is the first mod for any OBDII car, which is anything after 93.
The fox bodies I've worked with aren't quite as computerized as the
newer ones, and certainly the S197. I think a chip / tune scares
people off, because it sounds intense, and $$ for a first mod, but if
that's what the original poster is driving, do it. Do you have to
have the custom tune changed with every bolt-on you add afterwards?
Cause if so, the original poster might want to do his bolt-ons (CAI,
exhaust) before the chip tune, so they can dial it in. Is that right?

Jim C wrote:
> On Jun 3, 3:04 pm, "Frank ess" > wrote:
>> Jim C wrote:
>>> On Jun 3, 5:03 am, davea > wrote:
>>>> I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold air intake kit to
>>>> buy for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N ones which
>>>> are cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or models I
>>>> should look out for or avoid?
>>
>>>> Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any particular brand
>>>> provides?
>>
>>>> p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.
>>
>>> I'm not familiar with the new body style OR the V6, but I'll tell
>>> ya what I've learned through working on a 92, 93, and an 89 5.0.
>>> What a
>>> lot of companies sell as a cold-air kit puts the filter under the
>>> hood. The K&N FIPK does this. Even the relatively restrictive
>>> stock
>>> setup pulls from inside the fender. I'm sure the K&N kit flows
>>> better, but drive your car for an hour in rush hour, pull over and
>>> open the hood. Hold your hand in the spot under the hood where the
>>> K&N cone would mount. Is it hotter or cooler than the outside air?
>>> The kit that worked best for me was the BBK in-fender cold-air
>>> kit. My
>>> kit is
>>> http://www.bbkperformance.com/produc...systems/ford-c...,
>>> I'm sure yours would be similar.
>>
>>> The only thing is I was looking at the BBK site for my kit, and
>>> they claim a 20hp increase. Don't believe everything you read. If
>>> you had
>>> a race-prepped 306 making serious power still on the stock air
>>> filter
>>> and intake, their kit would 'unbottle' some good numbers, but
>>> otherwise... not so much.
>>
>>> Good luck, and have fun!!
>>
>> All that about "underhood", plus:
>>
>> I've had a V6 and a jones for more HP for 18 months now, but still
>> no "CAI", cold air intake.
>>
>> In order of importance:
>> Almost any claim related to CAI HP increase is posited on
>> requiring a "tune" which requires a TUNER ($350-400)
>> K&N are among the few who offer tuneless "CAI", which is not really
>> that cool, or that "cool"
>> At least one major magazine did comparisons under stringent
>> conditions, and just one "CAI" actually was intaking significantly
>> cool air: Somebody's (Western?) RAM AIR kit*, that cost quite a bit
>> and for full effect requires an under-hood channeling system,
>> another hundred-plus dollars. But the mag decided it actually
>> worked; takes cool air from in front of the radiator, where it
>> piles up waiting its turn.
>>
>> You figure a decent tune (requires a tuner, remember) will give
>> you 20 rwhp, and cost (for example) $400; that's twenty dollars
>> per HP Adding a $200 "CAI" will increase HP by (optimistically) 5
>> rw HP that's, uh, forty dollar per rwHP, and what have you got?
>>
>> The S197 V6 is said to have 210 HP stock. Actual dyno statistics
>> show about 176-180 rwHP for stock, untuned engines.
>> I have a K&N drop-in filter, and at the time of the dyno run (on
>> the JBA Racing setup) a GT takeoff muffler and a BAMAchips 91
>> octane Performance tune (via SCT 3 tuner).
>> My automatic 2006 Mustang gave results: 194.5 rwHP, 225 rwTQ.
>> I conject that a "CAI" would make that close to 200 rwHP, with
>> mail-order tunes.
>> Mr JBA said they more-or-less guarantee to get advertised HP up to
>> rwHP by tuning and adding full dual exhaust (another
>> doesn't-pay-off mod for the S197 V6: just a few horsepower for
>> quite an investment in money and hassle)
>>
>> After all that, the best bang-for-buck is a tuner and and a decent
>> tune. Anything else (with noted exception) is pretty much feel-good
>> add-ons.
>>
>> I finally did go for the dual exhausts, and I really, really like
>> the symmetrical look, and the stereo sound from back there.
>> Otherwise, 14 eighth-mile drag race passes have demonstrated
>> essentially no improvement in performance related to the exhaust
>> system. I do get a lot more compliments on the sound, though (FRPP
>> M-4230-V6 system: 100% bolt-on, just a couple of cuts required),
>> which to me may not be totally justified, as the "x-pipe" and GTA
>> mufflers are a little raspy in mid-range.
>>
>> *http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/05hvi.htm
>>
>> --
>> Frank ess- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Good stuff, Frank ess. The only thing I want to add is my .02 on
> the hp #'s. I've heard a rule of thumb of 20% hp loss from the
> flywheel back, which would explain the difference between
> advertised (at the flywheel?) numbers versus measured rwHP. I've
> heard a chip / custom tune is the first mod for any OBDII car,
> which is anything after 93. The fox bodies I've worked with aren't
> quite as computerized as the newer ones, and certainly the S197. I
> think a chip / tune scares people off, because it sounds intense,
> and $$ for a first mod, but if that's what the original poster is
> driving, do it. Do you have to have the custom tune changed with
> every bolt-on you add afterwards? Cause if so, the original poster
> might want to do his bolt-ons (CAI, exhaust) before the chip tune,
> so they can dial it in. Is that right?

New bolt-ons may change the tune requirements, many do not; however,
most reputable tuners that I've heard about will email a new tune free
(BAMAchips) or for a nominal charge. That way the users can start
anywhere and keep current as required.

As far as being scary, tunes had me deer-eyed for a while: I had the
tuner, loaded with the three tunes I had requeste, for two or three
weeks before I actually hooked it up. There are horror stories out
there - many true - about taking a car to a dealer for service, the
dealer flashed the computer to upgrade per Ford procedures, and having
the custom tunes disable the car completely. The tuner will read the
state of the computer and reporting the change to the tuner-shop
allows them to do a new one and email it.

I've never actually had a problem, cautious as I am, and now change
tunes between drag racing passes as a matter of course. The major
tuners are all very good about individual help, and are intent on
making things work well. I do return it to stock before letting the
dealers get their hands on it (still a little warranty left) and check
the code before reinstalling the custom tunes. I also have a piece of
tape over the connector, with a note Sharpied on it: "No Flash,
Please!"

If those are reservations, I can't unreservedly recommend a tuner/tune
as a Number One Mod, but darn close.

One of the seldom-mentioned benefits of a tune (after improved
throttle response and increased performance) is the way each of the
styles (performance, torque) changes the character of the exhaust
note. It seems "punchier" in slightly different ways with the
different modes.

--
Frank ess

davea wrote:
> I'm looking for advice on what's the best cold
> air intake kit to buy
> for my 05 V6 stang. I've been looking at the K&N
> ones which are
> cheaper than the Ford Racing kits. Any brands or
> models I should look
> out for or avoid?
>
> Anyone know what difference in noise, bhp any
> particular brand
> provides?
>
> p.s. looking to spend around $200 - $300.

--
One of the first mods I did to my new 2008 V6 was
a cold air kit. I did a lot of research, and
read a lot of magazine test articles. The bottom
line is that they all produce a little extra
power. Out of the top 5-6 kits, they were all
within 2-3 hp of each other.

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/tec...ck_airbox.html

This article did the tests on a V8. But the
results would be similar on a V6. Based mostly on
this article, but from other sources as well, I
installed the MAC kit. Really simple, took me
about 30 minutes; which included opening the box
and reading the instructions. I used red lock
tite on all the fastners. There are other kits
that tested a little better; like 3-5hp better.
But they were considerably more expensive. I
didn't think the 3hp gain was worth that much
money.

Now, lets talk about a tune. The truth of it is,
if you don't buy a tune, you'll be very
disappointed in the results. A computer tune
should (IMO) be the very first mod you make to
almost any new car. You'll be amazed at the
instant improvement in drivability, performance,
and efficiency. For a variety of reason, Ford
uses an extremly conservative tune. Making a few
small changes will almost give you a whole new
car.

Also, consider intake and exhaust changes. The
goal there is to move more air into and out of the
engine. With additional air, you MUST have
additional fuel - the ratio is critical. If you
buy an intake or exhaust part that does not
require a tune, that means it didn't change any
from stock. You've wasted your money. Buy the
tune.

I purchased a kit from Brenspeed that included the
MAC cold air kit, a tuner, and three custom tunes.
Cost was $525. I use the 87 octane torque tune,
which I'm very pleased with. It made an immediate
improvement in performance and throttle response.
When I get time, I'll play with the other tunes
and see what they're like.

http://www.brenspeed.com/mustang2005v6/

The other change I made was to a GT take off
muffler. Yes, the differances are huge, and very
noticable. The stock V6 muffler has considerably
smaller ports. The V8 muffler sounds better, and
usually adds 10-12hp. I paid $40 for mine on
e-bay. Took about 20 minutes to change.

On the highway, my car gets 32mpg. Commuting
around town I get 22mpg. Although I don't beat on
the car, I don't drive like an old lady, either.
I like to shift at 4,500 rpm's - it sounds good.

To get more performance requires a significantly
higher investment in time and money, with smaller
returns. A full dual exhaust actually provides
very little additional power. Fancier intake
tubes do nothing. Bigger throttle bodies don't
help, either. Nobody makes a bolt in cam. To get
decent power returns for the money, you have to
look to forced induction. But now were talking
$5K.

--------
..boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2008 Mustang Coupe, V6/T5
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

Thanks guys for the info. I think I would go for the tune now and
spend a bit more. I do like the sound of the ford racing CAI they use
on the shelby GTH. MAC kit looks pretty good as well. I had thought
about the GT take off exhausts as well but I would have to get a new
rear bumper with two cut outs for the exhaust pipes. Need to save some
$ for that!

I hate when I get ideas! Always costs me a lot!

davea wrote:
> Thanks guys for the info. I think I would go for the tune now and
> spend a bit more. I do like the sound of the ford racing CAI they
> use on the shelby GTH. MAC kit looks pretty good as well. I had
> thought about the GT take off exhausts as well but I would have to
> get a new rear bumper with two cut outs for the exhaust pipes. Need
> to save some $ for that!
>
> I hate when I get ideas! Always costs me a lot!

You need just one GT takeoff muffler. No cutting necessary. I painted
mine with black caliper paint before installing it. Hi-temp paint
looked gray and flat. The painted muffler was on there for more than a
year and still looked good when I took it off.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/3...b1bcdd22_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/3...fe5bb6a7_o.jpg
Sounded this way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxfEFETgvIA

Even then, the rear bumper cover is thin, cuts with a boxcutter,
although the meticulous folks use Dremel or some such. Pypes has a
template on line, but you can make your own from the right side and
reverse it.

davea wrote:
> I had thought
> about the GT take off exhausts as well but I
> would have to get a new
> rear bumper with two cut outs for the exhaust
> pipes. Need to save some
> $ for that!

I only replaced the V6 muffler with the single GT
muffler. Now I have two mufflers in my basement
that I'll probably just throw in the trash.
Anything more than that requires more money and
more effort. And it won't provide any more
performance.

--------
..boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2008 Mustang Coupe
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

I thought the GT mufflers only came in pairs. Thats good, I'll
probably go for the single one now.