Cold Air Intake?
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Sure...how about the one that came on the truck from the factory?
The stock intake will pull cooler air than most "CAI"s on the market as the stock unit pulls from the fender well, and CAI's usually pull from the engine bay.
Additionally, 04-05 model years stock fuel strategy does not have enough range to accomodate for any additional air, thus your truck is likely to run lean, and throw codes.
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The stock intake will pull cooler air than most "CAI"s on the market as the stock unit pulls from the fender well, and CAI's usually pull from the engine bay.
Additionally, 04-05 model years stock fuel strategy does not have enough range to accomodate for any additional air, thus your truck is likely to run lean, and throw codes.
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(the search function can be your best friend)
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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Search feature turned up about a million threads, none specific to CAI's, didnt thing a new thread would hurt anyone. Living in colorado where the air is pretty thin my understanding was that i would gain more just from the higher volume of air than actual temp. Ive heard good things from a few people around town but just wanted some more info.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Might be a good idea to read up on CAIs, tuners, the GOTTS Mod, etc.
Here's a sample from the past 6 months:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...vibration.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-function.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...gotts-mod.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ir-intake.html
Here's a sample from the past 6 months:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...vibration.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-function.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...gotts-mod.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ir-intake.html
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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Hey thanks for the links. I figured I might need a tune to make it work. I have an SCT(dont know yet if its the x2 or x3) that my brother used on his 06 6.0 deisel... can i use this on my 5.4 with different tunes?
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
X3 yes....X2, not sure.
Give Mike Butler over @ 5 Star Tuning a call:
5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services
He'll let you know if you can use the programmer you have, and he'll build you tunes if such is the case. If it won't work, for about $400 you can get a new programmer AND Mike's tunes.
The other option is PHP:
Power Hungry Performance - About Us
Give Mike Butler over @ 5 Star Tuning a call:
5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services
He'll let you know if you can use the programmer you have, and he'll build you tunes if such is the case. If it won't work, for about $400 you can get a new programmer AND Mike's tunes.
The other option is PHP:
Power Hungry Performance - About Us
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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So what I have is an SCT Xcalibrator 2 Ford flash tuner. Im getting conflicting reports from internet research and calls to performance shops as to weather it will work on my 05 5.4. If it will I think I will go ahead with a CAI as well as a tune with the SCT. Those, combined with the cat back 3.5" dual exaust already on the truck should get me 30-40 HP and about 50 ft lbs of tourque no? If the tuner wont work I think I'll just go with the GOTTS mod.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
SCT X2 or X3 will work on ANY1999 or newer Ford. Period. End of story
Certain models like the 6.4 PSD and the 6.7 PSD have a different PCM strategy. This requires a slightly different SCT X3 than normal.
Your F-150 however will be perfectly happy with a SCT X2 or X3. I am running a X2 on my 2006 F-250 right now. The only difference between the 2 is package shape and the X3 has a few more options you can change vs. the X2. The X2 is "last years model"...well, really a few yrs old model, but you get the idea
Save your money on the CAI IMO and get a decent custom tune. Run a 91 octane performance tune and look at getting e-fans. That will help your motor rev up quicker
Certain models like the 6.4 PSD and the 6.7 PSD have a different PCM strategy. This requires a slightly different SCT X3 than normal.
Your F-150 however will be perfectly happy with a SCT X2 or X3. I am running a X2 on my 2006 F-250 right now. The only difference between the 2 is package shape and the X3 has a few more options you can change vs. the X2. The X2 is "last years model"...well, really a few yrs old model, but you get the idea
Save your money on the CAI IMO and get a decent custom tune. Run a 91 octane performance tune and look at getting e-fans. That will help your motor rev up quicker
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Brett Foote
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From: Mesa
There is a couple statements that have me going hummm....???
If a CAI are not worth it then why "Additionally, 04-05 model years stock fuel strategy does not have enough range to accomodate for any additional air, thus your truck is likely to run lean, and throw codes. " Seems to me it is doing something then if it is letting more air thru. Additionally, if there isn't enough "range" then you'd think you'd have issues changing altitudes where there is "less" air.
Then: "a CAI as well as a tune with the SCT. Those, combined with the cat back 3.5" dual exaust already on the truck should get me 30-40 HP and about 50 ft lbs of tourque no?" NO. If it did that everyone would be doing it including Ford. More like 10-15hp at the rear wheels. Only thing I have ever seen add those types of #'s is long tube headers AND all those other items.
If a CAI are not worth it then why "Additionally, 04-05 model years stock fuel strategy does not have enough range to accomodate for any additional air, thus your truck is likely to run lean, and throw codes. " Seems to me it is doing something then if it is letting more air thru. Additionally, if there isn't enough "range" then you'd think you'd have issues changing altitudes where there is "less" air.
Then: "a CAI as well as a tune with the SCT. Those, combined with the cat back 3.5" dual exaust already on the truck should get me 30-40 HP and about 50 ft lbs of tourque no?" NO. If it did that everyone would be doing it including Ford. More like 10-15hp at the rear wheels. Only thing I have ever seen add those types of #'s is long tube headers AND all those other items.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
CAI and cat back exhaust won't get you much if anything on a 5.4L F150 except more noise. Ford has actually done a good job on both intake and exhaust. Even on the 6.0L PSD a CAI won't net any gains unless you are pushing things way over the limit on your tune because the stock Donaldson air intake can handle enough air for 500hp. The GOTTS mod might help some, but you won't feel anything in the butt dyno. An SCT x3 or other good tuner with custom tunes will get you the most bang for the buck on these engines from Ford. And the HP and torque gains won't be huge on the gas engines either. Just driveability is much improved as well as throttle response and shift strategies. When you do mods on any truck, just keep in mind what rpm range it's going to be used in. Off idle to 3500 rpm that most of us use our trucks in won't see any gains in a CAI or cat back exhaust. Most of the backpressure in the exhaust is in the cats anyway. And the stock air intake will handle all the air the engine needs in that rpm range.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 117
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Hi Guys,
Here is an easy reference guide for the AirAid Intake systems for the 04-08 Ford F150's
04-06 4.6l (Does Not Fit Heritage)
400-162 (Oiled)
401-162 (Non-Oiled)
07-08 4.6l
400-217 (Oiled)
401-217 (Non-Oiled)
04-08 4.6l & 05-08 4.2l V6 (No Tube)
400-141-1 (Oiled)
401-141-1 (Non-Oiled)
04-08 5.4l Triton
400-140-2 (Oiled)
401-140-2 (Non-Oiled)
Prefilter for all above but 5.4l
799-445
Prefilter for 400-140-2 and 401-140-2 for 5.4l V8
799-469
Our FT Forum Price is to low to post!
PM or EMAIL for PROMOCODE!
Contact Us:
800.877.1911
858.452.8900
forums@ajusa.com
Here is an easy reference guide for the AirAid Intake systems for the 04-08 Ford F150's
04-06 4.6l (Does Not Fit Heritage)
400-162 (Oiled)
401-162 (Non-Oiled)
07-08 4.6l
400-217 (Oiled)
401-217 (Non-Oiled)
04-08 4.6l & 05-08 4.2l V6 (No Tube)
400-141-1 (Oiled)
401-141-1 (Non-Oiled)
04-08 5.4l Triton
400-140-2 (Oiled)
401-140-2 (Non-Oiled)
Prefilter for all above but 5.4l
799-445
Prefilter for 400-140-2 and 401-140-2 for 5.4l V8
799-469
Our FT Forum Price is to low to post!
PM or EMAIL for PROMOCODE!
Contact Us:
800.877.1911
858.452.8900
forums@ajusa.com
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