FRPP CAI with & without Procal Tune

[6-Speed]

Thought I would start a thread on the Ford Racing CAI kit (PN M-9603-SVT07) that I installed back in August. The kit increases HP to 540 HP @ 6250 rpm and 510 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm (both at the flywheel). Here are my thoughts and some hints for you do-it-your-selfers. A voucher for the Procal tuner comes with the kit. You have to register online with FR or call them up to have the Procal tuner shipped to you. You must provide the voucher code, your PCM part number, VIN, tire size and differential gear ratio. I have heard that if you call FR to register, they don't really need your PCM part number, just your VIN. Getting the PCM part number requires you to remove the PCM connectors, unbolt two screws that secure the PCM, and slide it out (towards the rear of the car) enough to read the number off the label on the back side of the PCM.

The Procal tuner was shipped UPS overnight. Registered on-line Saturday and had it in hand on Tuesday. Installed the CAI and re-flashed and went for a ride .... whoo-hoo! The throttle response is quicker and the supercharger whine seems to be more pronounced.


A couple of pointers:
- Make sure you have some medium strength loctite (242-Blue) available. Required for two bolts that secure a mounting bracket to the air tube.
- For those of you who bought the CAI used and the original owner did not provide you with the ABS Bracket bolt that comes with the kit, you will need a longer one than the stock bolt.
- It is a M8 x 33 bolt, part number N808920 (probably a Roush part #).
- As for special tools, you'll need a T-20 Torx bit screw driver or socket, and if you're into precision work - torque wrenches; the instructions provide torque specs for every bolt. I used two different torque wrenches, one for low torque (lb-in) and another for higher torque (lb-ft).

The installation instructions were good but there are a few things the instructions should have elaborated on but didn't:

1. In Section B (Installation) step 3, rotate the clamp so the worm gear screw is on the top side of the filter before tightening the clamp. It's not so much to facilitate filter removal/replacement as it is for accessibility should you need to re-tighten the clamp if it becomes loose over time.



2. The MAF sensor connector has a red latch underneath it; slide the latch back toward the wires to release the latch and slide it forward to lock it in place. Don't forget to engage the latch when re-installing the connector.



3. There is an extra grommet that came with the hardware packet. The instructions didn't mention what to do with it so I installed it in the front hole of the airbox housing that attaches to the ABS module bracket. I also put a M8 stainless-steel washer under the ABS Bracket bolt head to keep from messing up this grommet; I got it at ACE Hardware.

[6-Speed]

Ford Racing now offers their CAI without the Procal tune for those who would rather use a custom tune for even more performance.

- Fits 2007-09 SVT Mustang

- Designed for those that want the Ford Racing intake for aftermarket performance tuning/calibration.

- Kit comes with hardware only! Calibration not included! Kit intended for aftermarket calibrators.

- Ford Racing Cold Air Kits utilize production quality components which mount in the stock location (reuse of mass air meter sensor required).

- Kit includes 113mm mass air meter and no calibration.

- A performance calibration is necessary to prevent engine damage. Calibration not included!

Ford Racing Performance Parts [M-9603-M54SC*]

[Joe G]

Thanks for the thread.


Don't forget - the BVM Store has great prices on these and all FRPP items. If you don't see it, just PM me or MadMax.






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[VaporDude]

Has anyone used a SCT XCal2 with their FRPP CAI? I was wondering if it works better than the Procal tuner you get with the CAI. I have a lead on one and was wondering if it was worth it or not. I know I will have to locate someone to write a tune for it. The only thing is that it won't be covered under warranty if I use the XCal2 as compared to the Procal tuner.

[Dactyl]

Originally Posted by VaporDude

Has anyone used a SCT XCal2 with their FRPP CAI? I was wondering if it works better than the Procal tuner you get with the CAI. I have a lead on one and was wondering if it was worth it or not. I know I will have to locate someone to write a tune for it. The only thing is that it won't be covered under warranty if I use the XCal2 as compared to the Procal tuner.

If all you are doing is the FRPP CAI and an SCT XCAL2 you do not have to worry about warranty. Let me start.

1) When you plug the SCT Tuner into the OBD Port it down loads the stock file or tune on your car.

2) Then you upload your new tune into the ECM ( computer ) and install your FRPP CAI.

3) Go out and enjoy the new horsepower.

4) Afraid the dealer will give you grief. Upload the stock tune from your tuner (aka reflash the ECM back to stock) and reinstall the stock Air Box.

5) Changing the intake and swapping the tune can be done in 30 minutes or less depending upon your mechanical abilities but it is really easy.

I would suggest you purchase the part through the BVM Store and then contact Justin at VMP Tuning. He's tuned plenty of cars with the FRPP intake.

[VaporDude]

I don't mean to steal away the thread from 6-Speed but was just curious. I know how to install the CAI and the tune but I wondering about the warranty issues and if anyone has installed the FRPP CAI with a SCT tune and how it would compare to the Procal tuner besides a bunch more variables you can tweek.

[Dactyl]

Originally Posted by VaporDude

I don't mean to steal away the thread from 6-Speed but was just curious. I know how to install the CAI and the tune but I wondering about the warranty issues and if anyone has installed the FRPP CAI with a SCT tune and how it would compare to the Procal tuner besides a bunch more variables you can tweek.

The FORD Procal Tune is just "VERY SAFE" An aftermarket tune can change so many levels within the tune it would boggle your mind.

One example. The PROCAL tune probably performs similar to the stock tune in that the stock tune begins to retard timing once the supercharger downstream temperatures exceed 100 degrees. A tuner can safely change that to 130-135 degrees before spark needs to be retarded. This is just one small sample of the millions of things that can be changed in a tune to make the car perform better. Then you can talk about timing and spark advance and fuel......................

Most dealers with this minor of a modification, and the fact that its a FORD part, are not going to give you a lot of grief.

My buddy just got the TSB done on his 2008 with a Whipple 3.4 Polished blower, long tube headers, no cats, JLT intake and 750 RWHP. No questions. The Ford dealers are happy to have the work.

[VaporDude]

Thanks for the info. I know my dealer is clueless in Seattle when it comes to this stuff. I'll have to talk to the service mananger and see what he says since they are the only ones that work on all my cars. I am in a rural area so I don''t have the luxury to take my cars to very many places. They have always treated me good in the past so I usually want to try and stick with them as much as possible.

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by Dactyl

If all you are doing is the FRPP CAI and an SCT XCAL2 you do not have to worry about warranty. Let me start.

1) When you plug the SCT Tuner into the OBD Port it down loads the stock file or tune on your car.

2) Then you upload your new tune into the ECM ( computer ) and install your FRPP CAI.

3) Go out and enjoy the new horsepower.

4) Afraid the dealer will give you grief. Upload the stock tune from your tuner (aka reflash the ECM back to stock) and reinstall the stock Air Box.

5) Changing the intake and swapping the tune can be done in 30 minutes or less depending upon your mechanical abilities but it is really easy.

I would suggest you purchase the part through the BVM Store and then contact Justin at VMP Tuning. He's tuned plenty of cars with the FRPP intake.

yup...going to see Justin on Monday....gonna change out pulleys for the 2.6 factory looking pulley and 90mm idler pulley and a custom tune...I already have the FRPP CAI and pro cal tune...going to get numbers with the pro cal tune first...then change pulleys and tune and see what the difference is....I truly want to see how much the pro cal tune is putting down..not too many people have had it checked after install...this will be my chance....

[VaporDude]

Please let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to see exactly how much the Procal tune puts out compared to the custom tune.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by VaporDude

I don't mean to steal away the thread from 6-Speed but was just curious. I know how to install the CAI and the tune but I wondering about the warranty issues and if anyone has installed the FRPP CAI with a SCT tune and how it would compare to the Procal tuner besides a bunch more variables you can tweek.

No problem - this thread is for all things FR CAI related.

The Ford Racing warranty only applies to the CAI parts if installed by a certified Ford dealer. Your dealer may have to cover anything they break or screw up in the process of installing it. There's not much that can break on the CAI kit IMO that would require you to invoke the warranty. I have not read anything in the FR warranty where the CAI/Procal tune would affect your original vehicle warranty, but technically it is an aftermarket part and if any problems arrise that can be directly linked to the aftermarket part/tune, Ford can deny the warranty claim regardless of who installed the part. Now your dealer may choose to honor the warranty claim if they installed the CAI. It is a rather simple install, but if you are not comfortable with the task or feel better if it was done by your dealer, by all means have them do the job. Once they install the CAI, it will be recorded in the OASIS for your car and any dealer who works on it can see you have the CAI kit. If you do the work yourself, you can always return it to stock before you take it in for any warranty work.

The Procal tune is fairly conservative relative to a mail-order/custom tune, which should provide more performance. The SCT or Diablo tuners are also much more capable than the Procal; they will allow you to adjust for various gear ratios and tire sizes, etc. Ford Racing does have a Procal II that has these two features, but it may not be shipping with the CAI at this time. The one advantage that the Procal tune has is that it is CARB legal if that's important to you (California folks). You can order a custom tune from VMP Tuning for various CAI kits and pulley configurations. I plan to keep the Procal tune as it offers plenty enough performance for me.

VMP Tuning - Buy Ford SCT & GM Custom Handheld Flash Tuners Performance Economy Towing: Shelby GT500 Custom SCT X-Cal 2 or X3 Flasher/Tuner

[SLB8SNK]

Just a word of caution, or my opinion more or less. For most guys, I think the FRPP CAI is indeed the best choice. Buy it here, have Ford install it for a small fee, and have the security in knowing any and all issues with your car will never fall back on the CAI and tune. Yes it may be "safe and conservative" as some suggest, but unless you are a HP whore you will more than likely never know or feel the difference. I doubt a few more or less HP will ever be noticed as those same variance can be had from one normal driving day to the next.

Point I am making is, yes the custom tunes can chance a million minor details, but overall as I have reviewed and read, makes very little HP difference, and probably not worth the loss of sense of security or worrying about reloading original tunes if warranty issues ensue.

I have stated it several times before and will reiterate it again. Two types of GT500 owners. Those that are not wrenchers but want a little extra bump, and those that indeed want to take the car to new limits. I am the safe conservative guy and thus why I chose the FRPP CAI and tune, and the KR mufflers. Figure it was good enough for the KR, safe and effective, and will/should product no ill effects on the car, and if so, Ford will cover.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by VaporDude

Please let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to see exactly how much the Procal tune puts out compared to the custom tune.

Here are some numbers I obtained from another site - these are two different cars one with the Procal tune and another with a custom tune:

FRPP CAI and Procal tune (no stock baseline):

1st run .... 465.38 RWHP, 450.40 RWTQ at 6000 rpm
2nd run ... 469.16 RWHP, 449.08 RWTQ at 6000 rpm
3rd run ... 465.90 RWHP, 443.79 RWTQ at 6300 rpm

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FRPP CAI with custom SCT dyno tune (with 5GT mufflers):

499.9 RWHP, 476.79 RWTQ

Same car stock with 5GT mufflers:

414.11 RWHP, 416.66 RWTQ

From the chart, it looks like they took it up to 6200 rpm.

[VaporDude]

So basically we are only seeing a 30 HP and 27 torque difference between the Procal and the custom tune. That is not bad money for that difference but I think I might save my money that will give more performance or better sound later. Thanks for all the information. I has been very helpful with my decision making.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Yes it may be "safe and conservative" as some suggest, but unless you are a HP whore you will more than likely never know or feel the difference.

.

Hi.

My name is Joe G, and I am a HP whore.






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[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Hi.

My name is Joe G, and I am a HP whore.



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Hi HPW!


`

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Just a word of caution, or my opinion more or less. For most guys, I think the FRPP CAI is indeed the best choice. Buy it here, have Ford install it for a small fee, and have the security in knowing any and all issues with your car will never fall back on the CAI and tune. Yes it may be "safe and conservative" as some suggest, but unless you are a HP whore you will more than likely never know or feel the difference. I doubt a few more or less HP will ever be noticed as those same variance can be had from one normal driving day to the next.

Point I am making is, yes the custom tunes can chance a million minor details, but overall as I have reviewed and read, makes very little HP difference, and probably not worth the loss of sense of security or worrying about reloading original tunes if warranty issues ensue.

I have stated it several times before and will reiterate it again. Two types of GT500 owners. Those that are not wrenchers but want a little extra bump, and those that indeed want to take the car to new limits. I am the safe conservative guy and thus why I chose the FRPP CAI and tune, and the KR mufflers. Figure it was good enough for the KR, safe and effective, and will/should product no ill effects on the car, and if so, Ford will cover.

I consider myself a no wrencher who wants a bigger bump...LOL. ..thus the reason behind the pulley change and custom tune this monday....but thats just me...

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously

Hi HPW!


`

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[2COKEMAN]

When your talking GT500 hp numbers there will be no seat of the pants feel in difference with the stock gearing and pulley with the frpp tune or sct tune, The aftermarket tune turns off the cat temp protection circuit that will most definatley cause grief down the road. Thats why they show that extra power because the computer is not pulling back the timing to cool the cats! That is why I am keeping the procal tune, there is more than enough power now! JM2CENTS

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by 2COKEMAN

When your talking GT500 hp numbers there will be no seat of the pants feel in difference with the stock gearing and pulley with the frpp tune or sct tune, The aftermarket tune turns off the cat temp protection circuit that will most definatley cause grief down the road. Thats why they show that extra power because the computer is not pulling back the timing to cool the cats! That is why I am keeping the procal tune, there is more than enough power now! JM2CENTS

yeah the tune only change is not the tops...but when i get my pulley changed...justin is leaving the cat protection in there...I do agree....gotta be careful with the cat protection....