Testing JLT Performance’s CAI for the latest Mustang GT at SCT Performance
By Steve Turner
Since the introduction of the 2015 Mustang, we’ve all be waiting to see what it would be like to mod one. However, we knew that doing so would most likely require reprogramming of the factory PCM. Well, as soon as we learned that SCT Performance had cracked the code necessary to tune the latest Mustangs, we asked if they were up for testing JLT Performance’s latest cold-air intake.
SCT’s automatic 2015 Mustang GT has already seen a lot of driving, a few drag strip passes, and more than a few dyno pulls. With 93-octane fuel in the tank, it put down 360.06 horsepower and 343.80 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels in stock form.
JLT took a big gamble and invested in creating its intake system for the 2015 Mustang GT long before the cars were available. As we recently showed you, the kits definitely fit, but we were anxious to see what kind of gains could be had on the latest 5.0-powered Mustang.
Here’s the finished install. The JLT CAI looks sharp. It really dresses up the engine, and it gives the induction some audio personality, which it was sorely lacking.
Likewise, we recently shared with you SCT’s impressive tuning gains on its stock, automatic GT. Yes, the same GT that the company purchased on the way to the NMRA World Finals. And, the same one that made the historic first pass down the drag strip with head calibrator Matt Alderman behind the wheel.
Knowing that SCT had the hardware and software to do the job, we asked if they had a JLT CAI ($349) on the way. It turned out that they did.
So, we made the trip over to see Matt work his magic with the first calibration of an aftermarket CAI on a 2015 Mustang.
Here are the sights and sounds of his efforts:
Being up close and personal for such groundbreaking events is always a lot fun. It is even more fun when you see risks pay off and big gains created. This is just the beginning of modding for the S550 platform, so we can only imagine what’s in store for these cars. For now, however, we’ll enjoy seeing nearly 400 rwhp from a CAI and a tune…
It sure seems like the design of the stock air inlet might be more restrictive than the inlet on the S197 Coyote. Would there be gains from opening it up?
Matt gets started with the easy stuff. He disconnects the mass air harness, vacuum lines, and the Induction Sound Tube.
After removing the ancillary connections, he loosens the clamps on the factory inlet and unclips the air box lid to remove the tube and lid as one piece.
Here is the stock panel filter. Looks a little small, huh?
Despite the filter size the lower air box and ram-air tube are actually one large assembly.
The JLT air box uses these stanchions to set it the stock rubber grommets just like the factory box.
JLT’s gamble paid off. Its airbox fits like a glove.
Matt bolts in the JLT air box using the stock airbox fasteners.
With the box in place, he slides the JLT fresh air duct through the air box mating it with the factory inlet scoop. This feeds fresh, ambient air to JLT box, just like the stock system.
Then Matt swaps over the stock mass air sensor to the JLT inlet tube.
With the filter and tube assembled as one piece, Matt pushes the tube into the coupler that he previously installed on the throttle body.
Matt aligns the tube properly then tightens the clamps on the coupler.
Next, Matt reconnects all the factory connections, including the Induction Sound Tube.
Don’t forget to plug in the mass air harness or the car won’t run properly.
Matt had already tuned the car, so he simply updated the mass air transfer function. This tells the computer how much air is really flowing. It doesn’t alter the timing, so the gains are just from the JLT’s increased airflow.
With the new mass-air transfer added to the already potent SCT tune (the one it will preload in its 2015 Mustang GT tuners), Matt loads the JLT file it into the PCM.
This is a screen we’ve wanted to see. Sure enough, it unlocked and accepted the new SCT calibration.
Just about ready to run. Keep in mind this first-generation preloaded tune features modest fuel, timing, and cam-timing changes. Custom tuners should be able to eek out even more power.
With the new, JLT-specific mass-air transfer function loaded, it was time to rock the rollers at SCT Performance.Read ’em and cheer. We know the tune worked well, but with the JLT and the tune, the 2015 GT put down 396.48 horsepower and 369.80 lb-ft of torque. Yes, nearly 400 rwhp and gains of 36.42 hp and 26 lb-ft of torque over the stock combo. The JLT picked up peak-to-peak gains of 11.85 hp and 5.48 lb-ft of torque over the tuned version, but there’s more to the story than that.While the graph has the highest resolution of data points, it’s instructive to look at sampling of the data in chart form. As you can see, the JLT pulls much harder as the rpm climbs. At 6,700 rpm it showed its best gains of 14.57 hp and 11.42 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. We have no doubt these cars will be over 400 rwhp with this setup in the near future.
God I wish jay would make a cai for the 11-14 that keeps the true 4″ tube all the way to the tb like the 15+ one is.. I mean I see where the problem with the 11-14 ones were corrected on this new one.. so come on and make one this good for us guys huh??
Thanks!! Nice increase!
Great article Steve! Congratulations to JLT for another great product!
Glad you guys enjoyed it!
I need to stop looking at these… It makes me want to buy a new mustang and mod it!!
X2 on that
Good gains for a first effort. I can’t wait to see how the power numbers play out as the knowledge base for these cars develops.
Nice gains.
Looks like its about the same gains as the ’11-’14 cars.
nice gains and damn thats a great looking car!
Great job Steve!
We are very proud of this kit and this independent test shows why!
Awesome
Jay
Thanks Jay. It’s always fun watching parts make power.
God I wish jay would make a cai for the 11-14 that keeps the true 4″ tube all the way to the tb like the 15+ one is.. I mean I see where the problem with the 11-14 ones were corrected on this new one.. so come on and make one this good for us guys huh??