meaning of "lightly modified" Mustang GT

[engelhardt]

I have a 2001 Mustang GT and a Predator U7146, which I bought only a few days ago. I am new to your forum, and would be grateful to learn from the experience of others. The literature and website say that the stock Predator tune is meant for stock or lightly modified cars; I have added a K&N cold air intake and a BBK upgraded throttle body/plenum. Does that count as lightly modified? I've installed the stock Predator tune, and everything seems fine so far, but should I get a custom tune? Should I change any of the parameters by using other features of the Predator? The mechanic who did my mods (including a lot of chassis work) said the Predator would give me a chance to specify my cold air intake and throttle body; I didn't see that option during the install, but then again, I went straight to the stock tune. Anyone have any advice for using my Predator? I'd love to learn more about using this cool new gadget.

[tuningss]

You will be fine with the canned tune you loaded. As long as you dont install cams, a supercharger ect.........You will be fine.

[engelhardt]

thank you. are there any tunes specific to a K&N?

[03Fauxbra]

Is this K&N a Drop in filter or the actual cool air intake setup? If it is the actual intake setup, you can hone in your air/fuel ratio a little and fine tune another.. 3-5hp out of the car. but thats up to you if 3-5 pulls on a dyno is worth the price for 3-5 hp.

[engelhardt]

thanks -- it's the complete cold air intake setup, with a 78mm BBK throttle body/plenum just added too. I thought the Predator had tunes for specific cold air and throttle body mfrs, but I'm starting to see that maybe it's only in more recent model years, and I've got an '01. Don't think I'll take it to a dyno for those extra three housepower; it's running well, and the Predator got rid of the detonation I had after modifying the throttle body. How about if I add an x-pipe with high flow cats? Will the stock Predator tune still cover me?

[03Fauxbra]

Everytime you modify a vehicles' air or exhaust your messing with its air fuel measurement.. If you put on the x pipe.. id spend the extra money to get it tuned.. after the x pipe im sure you will be running a tad on the lean side. Not necessarily for hp reasons.. but for extended life of your motor.. id get it put on a dyno just to get the air fuel pinpointed a little closer to what it needs to be. 3 pulls down here in texas cost around 90 bucks... if your around the dallas area.. gearheads is doing a special on 3 pulls with a toy (Christmas) for 20 bucks.. be worth investing if your around dallas.

[engelhardt]

thank you -- I'm not near Dallas -- but I will be watching Giants-Cowboys tonight. I'll take your advice and have it dynoed when I do the x-pipe. from what everyone is saying, the stock tune seems good enough for the cold air/throttle body/plenum upgrade. The stock tune does run it a little richer already, doesn't it?

[03Fauxbra]

They are suppose to be.. when i had mine tuned.. well ill just show you lol



Red was before tune... Blue was after.

Only mods at the time were a Intake, Underdrive pulleys, and catback.. and thats how lean it was.