CAC Tube

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Mar 25, 2023 | 08:55 AM

Fleshwound99

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 15

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CAC Tube

I just picked up a 2016 250, Doing some research on things to look out for and the CAC tube looks stock and worn. Do I really need to spend $300 to get a good one? What do you guys recommend? Thanks Ben

Mar 25, 2023 | 09:10 AM

Dirthawg2.0

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2021

Posts: 372

Likes: 199

From: NE Oklahoma

It's up to your personal preference. The stock part is a known part that fails while towing. If it blows while your towing it will leave you stranded. The Stock Replacement CAC is over $100. After market kits are anywhere from $150-$350 and are made with silicone and aluminum versus plastic compared to the OEM offering.

I chose to spend $300 on an aftermarket kit and be done with it and never have to worry about it again. You can carry a spare stock part in the truck if you so choose.

More info here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...f-buffalo.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-is-truck.html

Mar 25, 2023 | 09:23 AM

chadstickpoindexter

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2021

Posts: 5,819

Likes: 3,453

From: Uh oh, CA

I would swap it out. In fact, when I got my 22, that was the first part I swapped out. I went with an S&B CAC pipe and it was obvious at how much better the S&B part was over the stock part. However, I did throw the stock CAC pipe in the back of the truck... who knows, I may meet someone else one day that needs a new CAC pipe! But given the issues with the stock CAC pipes, especially the earlier models like yours, I would just spend the money once and get a good quality pipe and be done with it.

Mar 25, 2023 | 09:25 AM

Fleshwound99

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 15

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Im with you, I dont want to ever have to change it again. Most of the $300 ones im seeing are pretty LOL, I dont care about pretty. If theres a cheaper one that holds up just as good for a lower cost id be OK with that. Just looking for advice.

Mar 25, 2023 | 09:36 AM

chadstickpoindexter

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2021

Posts: 5,819

Likes: 3,453

From: Uh oh, CA

I'm not really familiar with anything other than the 22's... but it seems like Rudy's has been mentioned for lesser expensive options. Not really sure.

Mar 25, 2023 | 10:03 AM

senix

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 37,376

Likes: 1,861

From: Frederick, MD

I would personally buy a spare and if there are no current issues, just take it with you. You can change it easy with some basic tools.

My 2013 never blew in 86K miles with most of them towing.

My 2021 has the stock pipe and I have no intentions to replace it just because. Besides it is a different design now.

Mar 25, 2023 | 02:07 PM

Overkill2

FTE Legend

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 31,835

Likes: 9,156

From: Western NY

If I had to do it again (have a Rudy's), I'd do a one piece silicone hose cold CAC pipe from SPE and H&S. S&B has one as well. These are the one piece (one silicone hose with throttle body adapter and yes, are more... AFE also makes one but not cheap and not one piece.

For cheaper options, these have two hoses and two metal pieces.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233883324177?hash=item3674884f11:g

10AAOSwzTpg7Ib g&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8KkHbj8YXQuEpk4gmv6SuT0xTU7 Qs6RRbnaBT8MHk5e719UZRBh1ofLfkHr18gDAGqVTmWwk3LCOa KufM8PNXc3YrAlwIFaxM48z2BlgsCoxEhMwt9LZOJfPPoR4%2F uno8Ps2pYcn6P2qEkGNHsyYND3rpvlJQkNcN04i2eyw0oNl%2B DZvO9CxsnXtvygExrabQ5w3rkijeqAaSXgBmqv8b84jLw1EEru hywPB%2Fo2JkZGNMkxUWBI1vQWDSSWD%2BqdNH0bzYLTXakJo7 D22w0SjeKKaJfyhk3da1Ytbv62jwcxhssKU%2FHwuZ1dHpn9%2 B4bXW%2Fw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM-PScouNh

Here's the Rudy's kit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17412987061...3ABFBM6NuuouNh

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Mar 26, 2023 | 01:16 PM

Overkill2

FTE Legend

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 31,835

Likes: 9,156

From: Western NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleshwound99

I see what you mean. Thanks for the help everyone.

No problem... helpful bunch here. Even though the two piece set is more, they're probably easier to install, I would think. Let us know what you go with... good luck.

Mar 29, 2023 | 09:00 AM

#10

jollyrogr

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 2,277

Likes: 949

I have the H&S. I like that the hose is reinforced silicone and there is only 2 clamps needed where some kits have 4 clamps.

Mar 29, 2023 | 10:39 AM

#11

superduty4x4

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 12,177

Likes: 40

From: Newport, WA

I had a set of Rudy's intercooler boots/clamps/pipes on my old 6.0; the pipes seemed fine and so did the boots until I started towing in the August heat one day. I was blowing boots right and left. I tried hair spray, new clamps, everything under the sun and could not get those boots to hold. It turned what was going to be a 12 hour trip pulling our camper into a 2 day fiasco in 100+degree heat. That said, I would be very hesitant to buy or recommend any silicone coupler from Rudy's for any application so take that for what it's worth. When I replaced the boots with Riffraff Diesel parts the issue went away.<br />My 19 still has the stock cold side boot (90K miles so far) but I would like to replace it soon, thanks also to an experience with my old 6.0 pulling a camp trailer when I popped the stock plastic CAC tube at around 22psi boost (hence why I bought the parts from Rudy's). That was a VERY loud bang and made for a slow rest of the trip home running with no boost!<br />