Abaco DBX & Power Pipe vs Pulley & Tune

[Shrek427R]

Is anyone using the Abaco DBX mass air meter and the Anderson Power Pipe on their 05-09, S/C Roush? I don't have the CAI, smaller pulley and tune, just the stock Roush tune. My first mods have been to the suspension, (trak pak) and brakes, (cooling ducts and rear slotted rotors). My trak pak installation will be done tomorrow, (Yeah). I just need to show up and sit in the car for alignment/adjustment along with corner weighting the chasis. Just can't wait to get my baby back and drive her around! Its been a 3 plus week installation, as I needed to buy and wait for delivery of new ball joints, adjustable sway bar links and a bump steer kit. (I'll post some pics on another thread next week).

The March 2009 issue of Mustang 5.0 Magazine shows HP gains on a 427R of about 11 HP at 2,500 RPM and up to 17 HP at 6,000 RPM. The DBX is under $400 and I have'nt priced the Power Pipe and installation yet.

What would be the better upgrade between the two? I figure the Steeda CAI would probably be about the same cost as the Power Pipe yes? So the cost difference would be between the smaller pulley/tune vs the DBX and dyno. I've read that the DBX comes with software and the PCM does'nt need to be reflashed. I have not read any magazine published measurements in HP gain from the small pulley and tune but I think my brothers on this site report much larger gains but at what total cost?

[Avaldes]

I have an AFM power pipe setup that you can have cheap. I ran it for 6 months and decided to go with the Steeda. The reason is that my tuner does a million Steeda CAI tunes and my DBX was the first he had tuned.

There was no perceptible difference in the way the car ran between the stock MAF and the AFM power pipe when I installed it. It did seem to have more power, but I can't quantify that other than the butt dyno said it did something.

PM me if you want.

-Aaron

[AutoXRacer]

I wouldn't get the power pipe if your are trying to save money on tuning...unless you are only doing an intake.

When and if you install the smaller pulley, you'll have to get tuned anyway...so the savings of the power pipe becomes null.

I think the gains of an intake and the pulley are about 40%/60% respectively... Overall gains with both average about 60 or slightly more.

VMP sells a 500HP kit for $900 which includes intake, pulleys, tuner, and tune...

[NastyStang113]

AutoXRacer hit the nail on the head with this one. Not to mention that 'tuneable' MAF sensors are very unreliable.

[Avaldes]

I can't say that I had any problems with the power pipe, but the Steeda unit is THE industry standard right now. So you can get a tune from anyone if you have the Steeda, VMP, JDM etc. That is why I went to the Steeda, my tuner has done thousands of tunes with that unit.

You or anyone can have my Power Pipe for $200 if you want to try it cheap. I'd love to get it out of my garage.

[Shrek427R]

I know the DBX gains are mild compared to the pulley & tune. Reliability is very important to me. It looks like the cost benefit analysis favors the pulley and tune. My main concern is too much power! It feels pretty good on the track right now, (stock tune), but will I have a beast thats too hard to handle on the track?

I guess thats between me and my tuner. I could always go with a conservative tune right? Or maybe change from 427 HP at the flywheel to 427 at the rear wheels and still honor the 427 badge.

[NastyStang113]

With a pulley, tune, and cold air intake you should be right around 430 rwhp. It's definitely not going to be too much power. Don't forget how much these cars weigh!

[AutoXRacer]

Definitely not too much power... Its the way the car should have come from ROUSH!!!

Plus remember, throttle modulation...the throttle is not an on/off switch...