Cold air intakes worth the $$$ ?
 

Just need some advice on Cold Air Intake systems....i was told it is pointless in even purchasing and installing an CAI since it has no significant HP gains and would be a waste of money! I'm not looking for anything cheap..i want the best! firejump: I have 2004 V6 3.9L engine and was also curious if CAI for a 3.8L would be the same for the 3.9L. My buddy wants to get me K&N CAI but i'm really hesitant at this point and figured some of you guys could steer me in the right direction.

thanks
CAT

Cai
 

I can not say that it increased power by I installed a STEEDA CAI From Steeda.ca and , it feels like it has more power , sounds great , looks good and the fit and service were great. Des

Are you sure your 2004 has a 3.9?
It should be a 3.8.


Edit, i did not change anything in your post, just hit the wrong button.
Sorry.

^I heard they upped the displacement on the 3.8 to a 3.9, not sure which year though.

As for the CAI, a K&N is one of the better units available, but JLT is probably a bit better, a CAI won't really give you power gains so much as a bit more sound and noticeably better throttle response. A 3.8 kit should fit your 3.9-it's the same engine as far as I know, just a bit bigger, I'd e-mail the manufacturer to confirm though.thumb:

Yah i'm positive its a 3.9L says it on the original sticker and engine was switched towards the later productions of the 2004 stangs....windstar engine? lol

Hmmm....?
 

This is what i jus found on another site:

"I work for Ford and they sent us a special memo stating that it had blah.blah.blah reasons for making 3.9L but none of the reasons had any performance benefits. All of the Ford plants in the world have assembly lines that with a few clicks of a button can produce any vehicle in the Ford lineup...kinda cool! Basically it is easier and more cost effective to run the 3.9L in the Freestar AND Mustang instead of 3.9L Freestar and 3.8L Mustang...especially since they are basically putting the explorer v6 in it next year. a temporary solution for production issues between vehicles."

Oh and does it matter what type exhaust system you have? I have magnaflow
4.6L V-8, GT/MACH 1, Magnapack Dual Exhaust System, 2.5" Tubing Dual Rear Exit, 3.5" Tips; H pipe... on my V6

^No, it doesn't matter, but a 2.5" exhaust on a V6 is probably losing you a bit of power due to the lack of backpressure.

wow, i did not know that.
Cool stuff.

hey Cathy...i have the K&N CAI...i find a lil bit of difference in the HP....but it definetly makes a difference in the sound....IMHO i think it's worth it