Cold Air Intakess
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Kansas City, MO
Cold Air Intakess
I have a 1997 F150 4x4 with the 4.6 83K miles. I have been looking into getting a K&N cold air intake to try and get a little more power and maybe improve on my 13mpg. I'm a total newbie to the aftermarket performance kits, though. Is there anything I should know about these? Can installing one cause any problems? What other performance options should I consider instead of, or in addition to, the intake? Thanks for the help!
-bjw
-bjw
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
13 mpg sounds a bit low for your rig, is this mostly in town driving with lots of stop and go?
I would concentrate on your current 13 mpg, as you should get a bit better than that, but alot of it also depends on driving habits.
When was the last time your plugs were changed? How about the fuel fiter? Are you using more than a 30 wt motor oil? Tire pressures? Etc, etc, etc.
FWIW, I've been really pleased with the Mac Intake that I purchased off of this site, you may or may not notice a difference by the seat-of-your pants dyno, but it will help out your motor in the higher rpms.
I would concentrate on your current 13 mpg, as you should get a bit better than that, but alot of it also depends on driving habits.
When was the last time your plugs were changed? How about the fuel fiter? Are you using more than a 30 wt motor oil? Tire pressures? Etc, etc, etc.
FWIW, I've been really pleased with the Mac Intake that I purchased off of this site, you may or may not notice a difference by the seat-of-your pants dyno, but it will help out your motor in the higher rpms.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Kansas City, MO
13 is more than a little bit low for this truck from what people are telling me. I'm having some trouble tracking down a cause, though. Plugs were changed 2K miles ago, fuel filter was changed a few days ago, tire pressure is at 35psi on all 4 (dueller H/L's), using a high mileage synthetic 10W-30, tried injector cleaner a couple times in the last year, no alignment or tire balance issues, had front and rear differentials and transfer case serviced recently, check the air filter regularly, etc... I am going to try replacing the EGR and both oxygen sensors this weekend - tried it last weekend, but couldn't get the @$#& EGR to break loose - but I'm running out of tune-up options to try. Any suggestions on improving fuel economy would be GREAT, but I also want to try the intake kit for a little boost in the performance area. Thinking about a power chip as well, but want to make sure I have it running right before I do that.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
Were the plugs gapped to the proper distance, that alone could cause problems.
If you haven't already I would clean the MAF, as it gets a little tired when dirty and won't sniff very well.
You wouldn't by chance be running oversize tires?
Have you tried getting gas from other stations?
If you haven't already I would clean the MAF, as it gets a little tired when dirty and won't sniff very well.
You wouldn't by chance be running oversize tires?
Have you tried getting gas from other stations?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Kansas City, MO
Plug gaps are fine. Had thought about the tires. If anything, I'm running too small a tire. I haven't check manufacturer reccomendations, but the ones I have on there just look small for the truck, which could also be a factor. Buying new ones this week, so I'll figure that out then.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Hawaii
When you say 13 MPG are you referring to city or highway driving or combined? My 1999 xtra cab 4X4 4.6 averages about 14 MPG mostly city driving. 4X4's and xtra cabs in particular don't get great mileage. They are heavy trucks and 4X4's have the front axles moving all the time which adds drag. According to the window sticker, 14 MPG is what the EPA estimated my truck would get in the city and that is what it gets. A few more miles per gallon more would be nice but don't expect to get 20 MPG out of your truck.
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some thing that will help a little on the gas milliage for upgrade would be exahust and electric fans 
as far as the intake goes i love my air raid it was simple to put on and works great i got the tiny v6 so i knowticed a big diffrence when jumping on it but you more then likey will not knotice to big a diffrence hope this helps
as far as the intake goes i love my air raid it was simple to put on and works great i got the tiny v6 so i knowticed a big diffrence when jumping on it but you more then likey will not knotice to big a diffrence hope this helps
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by BJWinter
Plug gaps are fine. Had thought about the tires. If anything, I'm running too small a tire. I haven't check manufacturer reccomendations, but the ones I have on there just look small for the truck, which could also be a factor. Buying new ones this week, so I'll figure that out then.
The size that came with the rig off the factory line (proper size) will be posted on the drivers side door jamb.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Kansas City, MO
I don't see much difference between city and highway. Combined, everyday driving I get 13mp. I've taken a couple of road trips in it, though, and am usually just shy of 15 when I keep it between 60 & 65. I'm not expecting to see much difference in city mileage, but I should be able to do better on the highway (in my opinion, at least).