darkstar Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Over the last couple weeks I have been testing the CAI, the car definitely feels faster according to the butt dyno. Soon I will take it to the track for test passes vs the stock airbox to see how much trap speed it picks up(HP). Testing has shown 40-50 degree drops in intake air temps over the stock airbox when the ambient air temp is 95. Unlike the stock airbox that gets heatsoaked and never recovers the UP CAI stays at least 20-30 degrees cooler and drops quickly once the car starts moving again. Specs on the CAI; it is a custom built sheetmetal airbox fully insulated to help against heatsoak, molding that seals against the hood and utilizes the stock cold air inlet. It includes 2 high flow air filters that have built in bellmouth velocity stacks to maximize airflow into the turbos. No tuning required and driveability is better than stock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Very nice as I see you modeled it similar to Steeda's CAI for the Fusion Sport, just with a better fitment (I cut and adjusted the Steeda one I got a hold of). Besides just better temperature recovery, the stock air box is a restriction on the engine's vacuum. It is a restriction on the 2.7L Ecoboost engine, and the 3.0T is even more potent and hungry for air (our turbochargers flow more). Trade off however, is you may experience an increase in fuel consumption especially when it comes to enjoying the improved performance, its going to command the car to use more fuel to match the ideal A/F target, but that is a good expectation to have meaning the modification does help awaken more power. This is great for the initial launch and cruising acceleration performance. Downside is the real game changer will be to upgrade the Inter cooler if you want to improve the trap speed greatly, as the turbochargers flat out overheat the stock one at high load (it does cool off quickly at least, but will overheat as you go use 100% pedal input). IAT1 readings will be better optimized with the airbox improvement .If you data log the sensors, then you should notice that IAT2 readings are now under CAC temperature readings due to improving the stock air box as it can flow more oxygen even at higher temperatures (and use more fuel to make power). So this upgrade, helps with low to middle end power loads greatly. Glad to see another performance modding enthusiast! :2thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy3906 Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 That looks amazingly sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airflow Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Looks like some nice build quality. What's the cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Anything that helps IAT. It's a real problem with the 3.0. Airflow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Wow...looks great. So called CAIs on SHOs and MKSs usually do more harm than good but this looks very promising for the 3.0 in Zs, Fusions and maybe Continentals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkstar Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 (edited) Downside is the real game changer will be to upgrade the Inter cooler if you want to improve the trap speed greatly, as the turbochargers flat out overheat the stock one at high load (it does cool off quickly at least, but will overheat as you go use 100% pedal input). IAT1 readings will be better optimized with the airbox improvement .If you data log the sensors, then you should notice that IAT2 readings are now under CAC temperature readings due to improving the stock air box as it can flow more oxygen even at higher temperatures (and use more fuel to make power). So this upgrade, helps with low to middle end power loads greatly. Glad to see another performance modding enthusiast! :2thumbs: Thanks! Yes that is why I am going to work on building an IC next using a much better core that will not heat soak. Looks like some nice build quality. What's the cost? Thanks! Im thinking with a group buy of 5, $299. Wow...looks great. So called CAIs on SHOs and MKSs usually do more harm than good but this looks very promising for the 3.0 in Zs, Fusions and maybe Continentals. Thanks! Yes you are correct most CAI's actually cause a loss of power due to sucking hot air in from the engine bay or incorrect tube size for MAF sensors causing erroneous adjustments to the AFR, luckily these engines dont use MAF sensors and instead are speed density. Hence the reason the car doesnt have to be tuned for the intake. Edited August 13, 2017 by darkstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 $50 cheaper than the Steeda one upfront is nice, along with being tailored towards the MKZ having a hood strut in place. I got mine from a Fusion Sport owner looking to sell for $250. If you want to expand on a potential market, you could offer this style of CAI to Fusion Sport owners as well, the only difference being they have a hood prop, not strut. 2.7L Ecoboost and 3.0T Continental can use it for sure, as it is the same airbox. Your interior heat shielding padding gave me an idea though, for a much cleaner appearance to add to the Steeda CAI. I'm going to make a few slight changes to it and test out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airflow Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Thanks. Are those oiled or non-oiled filters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Probably sounds pretty good, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkstar Posted August 14, 2017 Author Share Posted August 14, 2017 Thanks. Are those oiled or non-oiled filters? They are lightly oiled filters, since there is no MAF on these cars the use of a dry filter is not needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wlangle1 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 How do I get one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconutrob Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Is someone selling this cai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunktasticLucky Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I would love to get one of these if someone is not wanting theirs anymore. Hit me up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki-MKZ Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 The only thing that sucks about the 3.0 AWD MKZ is the lack of people modding it. This thread is dead, others are as well, it seems damn near impossible to find a tuner who won't say, the MKZ, nah we don't touch that even if they do handle the Fusion Sport. I'm calling Livernois but was hoping Lund would be into it since they tune my Mustang. Taking the MKZ to GLD this Spring to see how it will do, hope there are some older stock Mustang's there to line up against. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunktasticLucky Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I feel you on that. I heard that the new livernois tuners do data logging now so I might take a look. Still not hyped about the price though. I have read 3 different experiences now that had them leave unleashed for livernois so I might just skip unleashed and go livernois. I'm sure I'll leave power on the table but it will be way better than stock I'm sure. Loki-MKZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki-MKZ Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 24 minutes ago, FunktasticLucky said: I feel you on that. I heard that the new livernois tuners do data logging now so I might take a look. Still not hyped about the price though. I have read 3 different experiences now that had them leave unleashed for livernois so I might just skip unleashed and go livernois. I'm sure I'll leave power on the table but it will be way better than stock I'm sure. Agreed, I know their rep with the SHO has been a good one, I just want this car into the 12's if possible, even if I have to go E85 for the track only and save the 93 tune for the street. Depends on drive-ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki-MKZ Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) This is what I'm looking at although for $600.00 bucks I would hope you get an E85 tune with it. https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product/LPP631146 Edited February 4, 2019 by Loki-MKZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunktasticLucky Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 I might actually drive up to them and get my mkz dyno tuned for an even 400AWHP. Loki-MKZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki-MKZ Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 I spoke to them yesterday about buying the tuner and a 91/up octane tune. Mine is in the shop to repaint the hood, mine made it through QC with paint runs on the front lip of the hood plus they're fixing an oil leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dismonkey1 Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Torrie with Unleashed has a tune for the MKZ. You will need an HP MPVI2 pay the two credits to license the vehicle ($100 total). If you buy the HP device from Unleashed, it will come with a requested tune. Right now I have a 93P tune and I enjoy it. I had a slight issue initially (see my modifications post for details) but was able to get it fixed the same day by Torrie after some data logging. Everyone has preferences, but the more people that try this tune, the better he can tweak it. Darkstar did pretty much all of the legwork for Unleashed but more people onboard can't hurt. Loki-MKZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.