CAI 6.7
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
Tuned my 14’ 5.0 f150 with sct... datalogged the truck according to what I had changed (CAI, intake manifold, headers, exhaust, cams, gears, tires, etc) emailed it in and received new strategies for what I was wanting out of it. This is my first diesel so perhaps you can explain the basic concepts behind them and tuning them for me?
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
What exactly are you looking for with a CAI? HP? Torque? Increased engine noise?
An engine is a holistic system. If you change one variable, you have to alter other variables to compensate and that costs money in engineering, labor, and parts. Make certain that the manufacturer selling you these parts is guaranteeing you an specific increase in HP, TQ, or both as proven on an independent dynamometer. Otherwise, you are paying for their marketing in unprovable and unrealized "seat of the pants" results.
An engine is a holistic system. If you change one variable, you have to alter other variables to compensate and that costs money in engineering, labor, and parts. Make certain that the manufacturer selling you these parts is guaranteeing you an specific increase in HP, TQ, or both as proven on an independent dynamometer. Otherwise, you are paying for their marketing in unprovable and unrealized "seat of the pants" results.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
CAI is about as effective as rubbing snake oil on your turbo. Spend your money on something else.
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 939
Likes: 8
From: DFW
On this specific application the CAI is a waste of money. If it were not I would have put one on from day one which is my standard operation in modifications but the testing does not bear out the increase in costs of a CAI. Do some research you will see.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
A lot of misinformation in this post. A CAI on a N/A engine is pretty much a waste of money unless you're looking for looks and somewhat sound. On a engine that has a turbo or S/C it does make a difference. First thing I did to my truck was a Absolute Performance CAI and it does make a difference. It doesn't throw you in your seat or anything but it does help with the turbo lag and does gain some mpg, 1 at the most. And you do gain hp and tq from it. And no you don't need any kind of tuning if adding just a CAI.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
LMAO you might want to do some research and you'll see you're wrong.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 413
Likes: 15
From: Forest Lake, MN
Unless you do something to increase the VE ( volumetric efficiency ) - higher compression, higher lift/duration cam, better free flowing exhaust, A CAI will not help, and unless the VE & AFR tables are tuned, it is not possible for a CAI to have a significant effect on power..
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
Unless you do something to increase the VE ( volumetric efficiency ) - higher compression, higher lift/duration cam, better free flowing exhaust, A CAI will not help, and unless the VE & AFR tables are tuned, it is not possible for a CAI to have a significant effect on power..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 537
From: DFW
I don’t see any help for the OP. How many people have “wasted” money on these trucks? Almost everyone picks a place to spend, improve, customize.
My “wasted” money’s riding on the S&B model CAI that swaps the battery & air-box location. I’ll have one installed with no tune by Jan 1st.
Research that one and spend away!
My “wasted” money’s riding on the S&B model CAI that swaps the battery & air-box location. I’ll have one installed with no tune by Jan 1st.
Research that one and spend away!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
I don’t see any help for the OP. How many people have “wasted” money on these trucks? Almost everyone picks a place to spend, improve, customize.
My “wasted” money’s riding on the S&B model CAI that swaps the battery & air-box location. I’ll have one installed with no tune by Jan 1st.
Research that one and spend away!
My “wasted” money’s riding on the S&B model CAI that swaps the battery & air-box location. I’ll have one installed with no tune by Jan 1st.
Research that one and spend away!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Lots of "wrong" here. The days of easy gains from less restrictive intake or exhaust systems is long gone. That is, unless you want to compromise the system's capabilities.
Given the HP/TQ wars between the big 3 truck manufacturers if it was as easy as changing the airbox and feed to the intake manifold to increase net HP/TQ, don't you think Ford would have already done that? The engineering investment Ford put into those parts is well beyond what the aftermarket can do. Perhaps some of these "CAI" provide a few more HP/TQ than the OE setup but at what cost? The OE system already draws air from an outside source.
Most of these systems change the filter element and that's where much of the gains come from. I am not willing to gamble the health of my engine on a few extra HP when the truck's stock output is far more than I can use 99% of the time. YMMV.
Given the HP/TQ wars between the big 3 truck manufacturers if it was as easy as changing the airbox and feed to the intake manifold to increase net HP/TQ, don't you think Ford would have already done that? The engineering investment Ford put into those parts is well beyond what the aftermarket can do. Perhaps some of these "CAI" provide a few more HP/TQ than the OE setup but at what cost? The OE system already draws air from an outside source.
Most of these systems change the filter element and that's where much of the gains come from. I am not willing to gamble the health of my engine on a few extra HP when the truck's stock output is far more than I can use 99% of the time. YMMV.