I own a 2011 Evo GSR and looking at purchasing the AMS Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Performance Intake. AMS states,"2008 and 2009 Model EVO X's will not require a tune with the addition of this intake. 2010 and later models will require a custom ECU tune for safe operation when using this intake pipe. Failing to do so can cause issues or damage to your engine."

My questions is: Do I really need to get my car tuned after installing a CAI?

 

First off that's not a cold air intake...

 

A lot of people claimed the tune on 2010+ X's were leaner and that's why an OE sized MAF intake would require a retune, but I datalogged my X on the dyno stock and it was super rich ( <10.5:1).

Honestly, if it's an OE sized MAF (which I'm pretty sure it is), you'll be fine without an immediate tune. However to get the most power out of the mod, you'll want to be tuned. untuned to tuned makes a big difference on the butt-dyno and fun factor of the X.

Generally safe with no tune:
--OE sized MAF intakes ETS, Injen, AEM, K&N, etc.
--Upper and Lower IC Piping
--FMIC
--CBE

Do a TP or 3port, and don't get a tune, you're gonna have a bad time


Just check if the intake has an OE sized MAF, I'm sure someone will chime in that has one. If you like the design and want to be sure that it's good on a stock tune, the ETS is very simular and high quality

 

Everything is stock. Just looking at purchasing a nice "short ram" that won't need a retune. Once I get all the bolt-ons, the car will be getting tuned.

 

Well this is very similar in design and look when installed, is known to be safe on a stock tune, has a reputation for being good quality, and beats the price you're looking at by enough to put towards an UICP to match

http://www.extremeturbosystems.com/E...-X-Intake.html

 

I have the actual ams cai not the Sri and you do need a tune due to te different maf housing diameter. Just get the ETS one.

 

I had a ams dp, t1r res tp and k&n filter for a year with no issues and no tune besides turning the rear o2 sensor off

 

Turning off the rear O2 requires flashing the ECU, aka a tune. Running a testpipe with no tune is known to let some X's overboost which is why it's suggested to have a tune with a TP. The rest of it wouldn't require it.

FWIW, when I installed my rexspeed TP, the two or three hours I drove around without a tune before seeing my tuner I didn't see my X overboost.

 

We have seen 2010+ Evo X run lean with our intake on the stock tune and this is why we recommend having it re-tuned after installing the intake. It is possible that the car will be ok without a tune but we cannot chance that for our customers. We want to make sure they are aware of the lean issue and to get a tune to avoid any engine damage.

 

^^ This. The 2008's were stupid rich from the factory. You could slap an intake on and it would lean it out to were it should have been to begin with. The 2010+'s have a better (leaner) tune. This is basically AMS's way of covering their *** if someone's car is leaned out too much from the intake.

It probably would be fine IMO, but it could wind up being a $5k mistake if its not..

 

Okay, in this case... I'l just wait a couple more weeks and just get all the bolt-on's at once and just drive the car down to AMS for an immediate tune. Make's life a lot easier that way.

 

I had it on my 08 and it throws a P0171 Lean code. MASS tables have to be adjusted for the AMS intake due to the slightly larger diameter. Cobb had a OTS tune for it in 08. I am sure you can get one for your 11 or you could just have AMS email you a tune for the AP for it. It's not lean at WOT but can become lean in certain conditions while driving it normal. I data logged it and it seem to go lean above 3000RPM at part throttle.

 

My 11GSR was stupid rich from the factory, and my tuner compared to his 10MR and a previous 08GSR he tuned and my 11GSR did not appear any leaner with factory tunes. I believe people were unjust in assuming because the 10+ X's made more power. I know for a fact my 11GSR had a valve that opens in the OE muffler. It allowed more flow and was likely the reason my 11GSR made more power than previous X's. However with CBE, TP, and Intake the 08GSR and my 11GSR were right on par, which is logical since we both ditched the OE muffler.

The difference of the lean runs is more to do with the MAF being machined slightly different than factory as someone said above.

 

Yea i never had issues with over boost. Ams dp, t1r res tp, k&n filter and wastegate mod... I was hittin 22-23 peak tapering to 18psi

 

That's exact numbers I was seeing.