2005-2009 Mustang GT Cold Air Intakes

2005-2009 Mustang GT Cold Air Intake FAQ

Cold air intake kits are generally the first performance modification of every owner of a 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT, and because of their ridiculous popularity, everyone and their mother makes a kit or system for the 3V 4.6L V8 Mustangs. With a ton of different Mustang GT cold air intake options out there, comes a ton of confusion, but we here at Stage 3 can help you wade through some of the mess to find the cold air intake kit that's perfect for your application, budget, or greater goal for your 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT.

What is a cold air intake, anyway?
Your Mustang's engine (and internal combustion engines in general) requires air to operate. On a bone-stock car, that air is brought to your engine via a sealed air box and rubber inlet tubing. Your average cold air intake kit comes with an open element air filter, larger MAF housing, and more efficient inlet tubing that all work together to bring in a larger volume of charge air at cooler temperatures than your factory system. The end result is more horsepower, more torque, better fuel economy, and improved throttle response. Practically all of our 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT cold air intake kits are quick and easy bolt-on replacements for which makes them one of the best upgrades your can find for your Pony. Some of these intakes do require custom tuning in order to function properly, so keep that in mind.

How much power can I get out of a cold air intake kit?
It depends on the type of intake you grab, but gains will at least be noticeable. Your more basic bolt-on cold air intake kits get anywhere from 8 to 15 horsepower with around 10 to 15 lb-ft of torque. Kits that require custom tuning will add a bit more, somewhere in the range of 20 to 30 horsepower and 25 to 35 lb-ft of torque.

You mentioned tuning. Why is that required?
Some of our cold air intakes -- like the Steeda ProFlow, JLT Generation 3, or Airaid "Race" intakes -- change your Mustang's intake airflow so much that your Mustang's Powertrain Control Module's (PCM) can't adjust the engine's fuel curves and timing anymore, which leads to the computer shutting the engine down to prevent damage. Tuning changes certain parameters of your Mustang's PCM to compensate for the greatly increased airflow caused by some of these kits, allowing your Mustang's engine to make a ton more power while staying in a safe operating margin.

Should I not tune a basic cold air intake, then?
You're more than welcome to add a PCM tune to your Pony with any intake. Even basic intakes can help your 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT make a ton more power than either component alone. However, if you know you're going to grab a tune already, you're better off grabbing a cold air intake system that requires tuning. If you're planning on adding even more parts in the future, then have a look at our 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT intake and tuner packages to save some money while making big power.

Are these kits 50-State Legal?
The short answer is "No". The long answer is that there are a few kits that are 50-state legal, but only on 2005 to 2006 Mustang GTs (for whatever reason) and only on a couple of intakes. The only intake upgrade that we have that is 100% 50-state legal and CARB Approved is K&N's Drop-In Replacement Air filter, which really isn't even a cold air intake, at all.