Help A Newbie

New to modding, can someone tell me what a CAI mod is?

cold air intake. instead of that clunky box containing your air filter, you have a retrofitted metal tube that travels to a place where it can suck in colder air. Giving you more hp and better mpg.

And you can go a few routes with CAI's, one is CAI's that require a professional tune/tuner and the other is a CAI that dosent require a tune. To date I think the only CAI's proven to not need a tune are AFE and K&N. Everyone else requires a reflash (tune) to prevent the check engine light from comming on due to increased air flow.

A CAI looks a little something like this...(this is my C&L intake... it requires a reflash)

thanks guys.

so what CAI is the most popular?

How do you do you a reflash? Do you take it somewhere or DIY?

If you take a reflash in for a regular tuneup at the dealer does it cause a problem for them? Do you have to tell them you did it?

There's quite a few CAI's out. I'm a bit biased towards my C&L, but it's been shown to be one of the best out there. Other good options are MMR, AFE or Tunable Induction. Check out this thread on the C&L:
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=39240

You reflash with a handheld tuner, like an SCT X-calibrator II (or the original X-cal) or the Diablo Sports Predator. I have the X-cal II. Reflashing the computer is easy as could be. Just plug it in and follow the on-screen prompts. The device also saves your stock tune in case you ever need to go back (you'll never want to though... the car drives like a different beast)

A great place to get both the C&L and X-cal is from Doug at http://www.bamachips.com/ He's been working with 4.0L engines for years and has some of the best tunes around. Or, take it to a local dyno shop and have it tuned. Just remember, the C&L (and several other intakes) require a reflash. Your car will run horribly (if at all) without a tune.

Yes, it can ,,,,,,,, and its a shame that its so damned expensive too.

Someone needs to break-out with a low cost unit that addresses the more common complaints (like throttle lag) for the -Daily Drivers-

what are some of the negatives about the CAI and doing a new tune.

There's a third CAI that does not require a tune Rygen... the Mustang Racing Technologies (MRT) CAI. I can personally vouch for this and to the fact that IMO its an awesome CAI!!