Looking for the best cold air intake for your S550 Mustang? LMR has ranked and reviewed the best CAI for the 2015+ Coyote Mustangs.
The 2015-present S550 is the 6th generation of Mustang, and these potent pony cars have many different engine combinations that make great power. There are still ways to improve horsepower and torque for your Ford Mustang GT! The iconic 5.0L Coyote engine makes excellent power right off the dealership lot. These engines respond well to performance bolt-on modifications such as cold air intakes for those looking to make more power. Replacing the restrictive factory air filter and intake tube allows these high-performance engines to improve airflow and make great power. A cold air intake should always be one of the first performance modifications for your Ford Mustang.
The S550 Mustang had two generations of Coyote engines during its lifespan. The Gen 2 Coyote engine came in the 2015-17 Mustangs, whereas the Gen 3 Coyote engine started being used in the 2018+ Mustangs. You can read more about the differences between these two motors here: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MUSTANG 5.0 COYOTE ENGINE.
| Part Name | Part Number | Fitment |
|---|---|---|
| JLT Cold Air Intake | JLT-CAIFMG15 | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
| JLT Cold Air Intake | JLT-CAIFMG18 | 2018-2023 Mustang GT |
| Roush Cold Air Intake | RSH-421826 | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
| Roush Cold Air Intake | RSH-422086 | 2018-2023 Mustang GT |
| FPP Cold Air Intake & Cal Power Pack 2 | M9603M8A | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
| FPP Cold Air Intake & Cal Power Pack 3 | M9452M8 | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
| FPP Cold Air Intake Cal | M9603M8B | 2018-2023 Mustang GT |
| Steeda ProFlow Closed Cold Air Intake | ST-5553220 | 2015-2023 Mustang GT |
| PMAS Velocity - Tune Required | LRS-NMT131 | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
| PMAS Velocity - No Tune Required | LRS-NMT132 | 2015-2017 Mustang GT |
S550 Mustang cold air intakes (CAI) come in two distinctly different styles: custom-tune required intakes vs. no-tune required versions. Before selecting what brand intake you want, you first need to determine which style intake is “right” for you and your build. Each has its pros and cons, which we will cover below.
The no-tune required intake is just as the name suggests. These styles of intakes do not require you to purchase a handheld tuner and custom tune. For those customers looking to not void a warranty with custom tunes, these CAI are a great option to increase horsepower. The only downside to these intakes is that you do not get the custom tune's added performance and horsepower benefits.
Tune required cold air intakes need a custom tune to operate and drive properly. The custom tune is required because these intakes have a larger mass air meter (MAF) opening for improved airflow. The "pros” for these intakes are that combining the aftermarket intake and custom tune will net you substantially more power than the no-tune required counterpart. Custom tunes can also unlock extra performance benefits such as improved shifting, increased timing with higher octane fuels, and adjustments for different rear-end gears, just to name a few. The main downside to these intakes is that the custom tune will void your warranty.
JLT cold air intakes feature smooth rotational molded plastic intake tubes to maximize airflow. This manufacturing process allows JLT to create smooth bends and large mass air meter openings to optimize your performance further. These intake tubes are paired with S&B high-flow air filters. These intakes are finally topped off with air boxes that keep the engine heat from being pulled in by the intake. Combining these three core parts will also dress up any Mustang engine bay. A lifetime warranty backs all JLT cold air intakes.
The 2015-17 Mustang JLT cold air intake features a large 110mm intake tube with a textured finish. It features a 4” opening to fit just about any aftermarket throttle body, a large S&B air filter, and a heat shield that retains the factory ram air functionality. NOTE: this cold air intake will require a custom tune. Watch our complete installation and overview video on this intake: INSTALLING A JLT COLD AIR INTAKE ON YOUR 2015-17 MUSTANG GT.
The 2018-23 Mustang GT JLT cold air intake features a 120mm ID molded MAF with a textured finished tube. This intake also features a large 5” filter inlet that connects to a high-flow S&B air filter. The roto-molded heat shield will keep the hot air in your engine bay out of the intake and allows you to retain the benefits of the factory ram air ducts found in the front grille. NOTE: this cold air intake will require a custom tune. Watch our complete installation and overview video on this intake here: HOW TO INSTALL 2018-23 MUSTANG GT JLT COLD AIR INTAKE
Roush Performance parts have been improving the overall performance of Mustangs since they were founded in 1995 by racing legend Jack Roush. Many of their performance products come directly from their racing program or specialty-built performance Mustangs. Many of these performance parts not only add some serious horsepower but also retain your factory warranty. These Roush cold air intakes are also available in the Roush Performance Pac that add dyno-proven horsepower gains by adding Roush custom tunes. These Power Pacs are legal for use in most states right out of the box.
This S550 Mustang cold air intake is two intakes in one. It features an 85mm removable MAF insert that allows this CAI to operate as no tune required intake out of the box. You can remove this insert and open up the intake to 105mm in the MAF opening to maximize your performance. Note that removing this insert will require you to use a custom tune. This intake features a high-flow dry filter that requires little to no maintenance compared to oiled filters. It also features a smooth airbox design that allows factory air ram integration to ensure your engine pulls in cool air from outside the engine bay. Roush claims this intake netted the following gains with the 85mm MAF insert: 10.4 hp and 8.54 ft. lbs torque.
The Roush cold air intake for the 2018-23 Mustangs makes it easy to increase performance and improve throttle response without a custom tune. It features a high-flow dry air filter surrounded by a high-flow injected molded airbox that retains the factory ram air integration. Much like the 2015-17 version, this intake does include a MAF insert that can be removed to improve airflow and performance. Note removing this insert will require you to purchase a custom tune. Lastly, this CAI also features a see-through airbox cover that will allow you to check your filter without removing the airbox.
Ford Performance takes all of its winning and race-proven technology to bring you some of the best performance packs on the market. The cold air intakes and throttle bodies featured in these kits are the same ones found on the Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs. They also include a Ford Performance Calibrator and a custom tune that maximizes the performance of these parts and keeps your Stang 50 State legal with a CARB E.O. number.
The Ford Performance M-9603-M8A Power Pack features a Shelby GT 350 cold air intake, an 87mm throttle body, a throttle body adaptor, and a Ford Performance calibration. We installed this Power Pack on our 2015 Mustang with excellent results. See the video here: FORD PERFORMANCE POWER PACK STAGE 2 DYNO & INSTALLATION. This kit netted 21 hp and 24 lbs/ft torque peak gains. The calibration on this kit helps you gain power and adds features such as a no-lift shift strategy and enhanced throttle response that is instantly noticeable. Lastly, this power pack is also 50-state legal and comes with a CARB E.O. number.
We are throwing this one as an honorable mention in the category because this Ford Performance Power Pack 3 includes all of the parts mentioned above for the 2015-17 Mustangs. It also consists of the Shelby GT350 intake manifold to push the performance upward. This kit still retains the 50 State Legal status and CARB E.O. number. We tested this kit on our 2015 Mustang, and we saw even further horsepower and torque gains, especially on the top end. This kit added 37 hp and 5 lbs/ft torque gains overstock. We also saw 60 horsepower gain at 7,500 rpm. Check out the dyno video here: FORD PERFORMANCE POWER PACK STAGE 3 DYNO AND INSTALLATION
Much like the previously mentioned Power Pack, the Ford Performance M-9603-M8B calibration and intake kit includes the Shelby GT350 cold air intake, 87mm throttle with adapter, and Ford ProCal calibration tool. This kit is also 50 State legal, features a CARB E.O number, and, most importantly, will allow you to retain your 3yr/36,000-mile warranty if installed by your local Ford dealer. Along with the performance gains, the ProCal 4 calibration will unlock improved throttle response, optimize performance shift schedules and allow for gear ratio changes. Ford Performance’s testing netted +42 lb/ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, +19 hp at 6,500 rpm, and +18 lb/ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Steeda has been engineering race-proven Mustang performance parts since the company was founded by Dario Orlando back in 1988. They have done their homework for their Mustang GT cold air intakes. They engineered and developed cold air induction systems that improve airflow and maximize performance on the 5.0L Coyote motors based on their years of experience. Many of the components in these kits are designed and manufactured in the USA.
The Steeda Proflow closed cold air intake (MPN# 555-3220) for the S550 Mustangs features the largest mass air meter currently available on the market (122mm) and a CAD-designed airbox lid and tube. These parts are engineered to give you the most airflow to maximize the performance gains on your Coyote-powered Mustang. Due to the oversized design of the MAF opening, the cold air intake will require you to purchase a custom tune. Steeda notes they saw 25 horsepower gains over stock according to their testing. See the dyno with one of our team member’s 2020 Mustang GTs featuring this intake here: 2020 MUSTANG GT DYNO WITH STEEDA COLD AIR INTAKE.
PMAS has a reputation for providing some of the best performing cold air intakes on the market for the Coyote Mustangs. Their intakes are available in both tune required and no tune required versions. The tune-required versions feature massive MAF openings to ensure they can support all of the supporting performance mods you throw at it, including long tube headers, cams, or intake manifold changes. Their intakes feature injection molding and billet MAF systems to ensure smooth airflow delivery through their patented mass air flow sensing system. This means maximized performance gains and smooth idles.
This tune-required CAI features a 120mm MAF and cold air tube that is topped off with a washable S&B filter. PMAS uses its patented mass air flow sensing system to ensure the smoothest airflow to help your tuner develop the best custom tune for your S550 Mustang. Custom tuning companies prefer the smoother airflow design that improves your performance gains and provides you with a near factory feeling of idle and driveability. PMAS claims 20+ hp gains from their testing.
If you want to add some horsepower to your S550 Mustang without doing any custom tuning, this No-tune required intake from PMAS is worth a look. It features the same injection molded intake tube and billet MAF system found on the tune required version; however, the MAF system is reworked to ensure excellent driveability without purchasing a custom tuner and tune for your Mustang GT. This intake also uses the washable S&B filter to give you serious longevity down the road. PMAS claims 20 hp gains from their testing.
This Mustang GT cold air intake features the same injection molded intake tube for improved airflow. It features a billet calibrated MAF system that allows this CAI not to require a custom tune, all while still increasing horsepower and smooth driveability. This intake also features the large 7” lifetime washable S&B filter featured on the tune required version above. PMAS claims 20 hp gains from their testing.
S550 Mustangs can typically see an increase of 10-20 horsepower by simply adding a cold air intake. This number can vary due to the overall CAI design/type and other performance modifications done to your Mustang. If you purchase a tune-required cold air intake for your Mustang and pair it with a higher octane (91/93) custom tune, you can easily see hp gains well over 25 hp.
If you want to maximize the performance gains for your S550 Mustang, you will need to look at purchasing a tune-required cold air intake and pairing it with a 91/93 octane custom tune. If you are looking to gain a little more horsepower without the cost and hassle of adding a custom tune to your Mustang.
Yes, you will benefit from adding a cold air intake to your Mustang. Cold air intakes allow your motor to pull in cooler, more dense air from outside the engine compartment. Combined with these less restrictive intake tubes and a high flow filter, the engine can breathe easier and pull more air in when needed. Allowing your engine to pull in cooler air easily will help your Mustang make more horsepower, but you can also see improved throttle response and improved fuel efficiency.
The 5.0L Coyote engines found in the S550 Mustangs are proven to benefit from the addition of cold air intakes. The horsepower gains are just the tip of the iceberg on the benefits. These motors are known for their higher RPM ranges and need all the air to keep power from falling off in these higher ranges. A good cold air intake will ensure your Coyote-powered Mustang does not fall on its face during spirited driving or at the race track.
For the S550 Mustangs, your cold air intake may or may not require a custom tune. This will vary from intake to intake. Check the fitment/product notes before purchasing your Mustang cold air intake. Many of the cold air intakes we offer do not require a custom tune to be installed on your Mustang. These intakes keep the MAF housing within the factory specs to retain driveability and increase horsepower.; whereas the tune-required intakes will have larger MAF housings. The larger MAF housings/openings will allow the intake to pull more air into the engine, requiring a custom tune to calibrate your MAF settings to retain driveability.
Custom tunes will also allow you to increase the RPM ranges, add timing for higher octane fuels, and many other performance improvements to further improve the overall performance of your Mustang. These custom tunes will void your warranty and are intended for off-road or track use, so please proceed with caution and review your local emission laws before adding a custom tune and tune-required intake to your Mustang. Read more about the emissions/off-road details here: OFF-ROAD RACE ONLY DISCLAIMER.
