Can someone please tell me how much benefit, if any, there is to running an aftermarket intake kit (Airaid) with just the original factory tune? I'm not sure if I want to get into changing the factory tuning, although I realize the intake/5 Star combo is the ideal setup. Also, do the 5 Star Tunes void Ford's warranty in any way? Any insight would be appreciated.
Background: My work includes knowledge of statistical tools for SIx Sigma Projects. I had taught basic statistics for about two years to many in our work force of 2,200 employees.
Please forgive that this information is obtained from a non-Ford product. Please note that this non-Ford car will be traded for my Raptor when it arrives at the dealership.
Upon receipt of my 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T (345 cu.in. Hemi), I began monitoring my gas mileage via actual tracking the miles run per fillup and the gallons purchased. I only used 93 octane. I used 10 fillups for my baseline. Though I don't have the data sheet within my reach at this time, the average mileage was around 19 mpg for combination city and highway conditions.
After getting a baseline, I purchased a CAI made by RotoFab and installed it in place of the stock intake. The RotoFab filter is a conical filter much like the ones mentioned in this thread. After repeated tests, ten more fillups, I noticed that I was averaging about 20 mpg. A statistical difference was shown via a 2-Sample t Test. (I can post the test results at a later date, if desired)
I did not have an aftermarket tune applied, I was running the stock tune.
Did I notice a performance improvement? Not that I could feel, apart from the sweet sucking sound at WOT.
IMO, the reduction in pressure drop across the intake added in improved efficiency. I do believe that a tune would have taken advantage of the pressure drop reduction to generate more power, whereas without the tune there is only an economical improvement.
Regrets: I wish that I had dyno'd the car before and after. And ideally, these tests should be done for a full year to account for the difference between the winter and summer blends of gas (BTU/gal).
BTW, I plan to do the same test with my Raptor when it arrives, but with my Raptor I do plan on adding the 5 Star tune after completing the economical test (20 fillups: 10 before and 10 after intake installation)