There is enough hysteresis (slop) in the programming to take up for the CAI. They make a great upgrade on these, and many other cars. Beware large air filters that wind up just sucking in hot air from under the hood. That's where they don't work. Also, many aftermarket CAIs are a solution in search of a problem. We did real engineering level testing on many CAIs for a Dodge Challenger SRT (6.4L), and found that the factory airbox was the best thing going for a bolt on car.

BTW, I take *everything* Scotty says with a grain of salt. As an engineer and a wrench turner with decades of experience, I just about throw my hands up when someone quotes him. Watching him work in his videos makes me glad I am not the mechanic who has to come in after him. BTW, Toyotas are not ALL that, either.

 

Back in 2018, I bought a new M-B airbox for the R170 chassis which M-B discontinued sometime after. Cost me $83.25 delivered from Germany. Came with new air filter elements and a new airbox-to-MAF seal. The Crossfire air intake tubes fit this airbox w/o any issues.

 

Something I do whenever I remove the airbox on my Crossfire. I apply a small covering of wheel bearing grease on the 4 contact pegs along with a small amount on the boss at the front of the motor. I also apply a very thin covering of wheel bearing grease to the airbox-to-MAF rubber seal which allows the seal to slip over the MAF. And I've never had a seal show this kind of wear (or any noticeable wear) on my Crossfire.

 

I have five of these MB airboxes on the shelf, and four 74mm TBs, if anyone is looking for either. They are a nice, easy, plug and play type of an upgrade.

 

If you did a little searching on the forum, there is tons of scientifically backed information on how Single Cold Air Intake/Dual Cold Air Intake work and benefits our cars. Needswings sells these intake systems and they did a test with the factory air flow, compared to an SL55 intake and then DCAI and CAI. Depending on what car you have, SRT6 vs NA, the DCAI and CAI yielded the best results, with the SL55 intake coming in just about the same or slightly less effective as the Single Cold Air Intake system. The DCAI resulted in the most air flow and thus horse power increase on our SRT6 engines.
The worst setup was the stock intake on the SRT6, as mainly the Y-Pipe setup is the most restrictive. There is a bottleneck there so to speak.

Do a little research and you will be able to find bench testing of all intakes done by Needswings and how it translates into added boost.
There is not a one size fits all answer for ALL make and models but for the Crossfire the Cold Air Intake is a great mod especially if combined with a Pulley upgrade and ECU tune.
As described above, you can certainly get away without tuning the ECU as it will adjust to the added air flow, but if you wanted to maximize output you would consider the tune and most likely also a pulley upgrade.
Tuning our cars is also very simple. Yes, one could go to great lengths and get a customized tune through a tuner on the Dino but most went the route of going with a “canned” tune. Basically a tune that has been programmed with another vehicle (same make and model of course) on the Dyno and tailored to what modifications you are running or what output you are looking for. Those can be performed from the comfort of your home with the tuner sending you the necessary cable, software and all that’s needed is your laptop and 30 mins of your time.

 

Dennis, petroleum based grease doesn't play well with rubber; Best to use a silicone grease. It can be hard to find. I think I bought some from ebay.
I use the silicone on some of the suspension as well.