K&N filter update
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Louisiana
K&N filter update
I have a 1997 ford F-150 4X4 with a 5.4 liter can anyone who has changed there Air filter to the K&N filter Generation 2 what kind of increased fuel mileage they obtained I still have the factory air cleaner system on mine.I'm not really looking for the horsepower as much as i'm looking for increased fuel mileage. Gas prices are starting to really pinch.
Thanks for any help
Bucyrus
Thanks for any help
Bucyrus
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Chicago
I have a 99 F150 5.4L 4x4 and just recently put on a K&N 77 series intake kit. I just put it on earlier in the month so i havent really seen any great gain on gas mileage yet.
I put it on with an magnaflow exhaust kit also, so that might be why. But alot of people have told me that it will take a little while for the truck to get use to the change, before I will get any increase in gas mileage.
But I can tell you that there is a definite change in horsepower. My truck has a lot more ***** than it use too. The kits where hard at all to put on either.
I put it on with an magnaflow exhaust kit also, so that might be why. But alot of people have told me that it will take a little while for the truck to get use to the change, before I will get any increase in gas mileage.
But I can tell you that there is a definite change in horsepower. My truck has a lot more ***** than it use too. The kits where hard at all to put on either.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: arizona
I have a 2003 F150 w/5.4 and I have a K&N kit, I haven't noticed any increase in mileage, I have noticed some power gains. I heard that you can do more with a programmer to assist with the upgrades or stock equipment. LOL, Matt
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Be careful you may loose MPG. Although most of new air induction systems claim to be "cold air intakes" they merely are "hot air intakes" due to the fact that they are opened up breathing in hot air from the engine bay. Our factory systems take cool air in from the fender with the whole system enclosed to not take heat from the engine. Your K@N is prob an open filter exposed to the heat. My MAC cold air intake is the same way. I can tell a power difference at higher speeds, but never gained any kind of fuel mileage!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Jackson
You will probley get worse MPG because the air filter is sitting out into open air, yes you'll get more HP, but your mass air flow sensor is sitting in open air. and thats telling the computer, hey I got all this air we need more fuel to compensate. You need the right fuel and air mixure to run a engine right. If you don't add more fuel then you mixture will be too lean. So in dout the "cold air intake" will get you worse MPG
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Florida
An easy way to get better fuel mileage is to ditch the stock fan/clutch and go with an electric setup. Less engine drag = more HP and better MPG. You could even use an under drive pulley kit to reduce it even more.
Keep the tires aligned, balanced, etc., U-joints greased, run a good synthetic oil in both the engine and tranny and you should see an improvement.
But like what was stated above, most aftermarket intakes suck in hot air from under the hood, thats why I prefer just a K&N drop in filter.
Keep the tires aligned, balanced, etc., U-joints greased, run a good synthetic oil in both the engine and tranny and you should see an improvement.
But like what was stated above, most aftermarket intakes suck in hot air from under the hood, thats why I prefer just a K&N drop in filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Edgerton, WI
Ive got a K&N airfilter (drop in) on my '99 F-150 4x4, reg cab, 8' bed with a 5.4L.
I used to be getting 17 mpg highway, now Im getting 19 mpg highway.
Octane
I used to be getting 17 mpg highway, now Im getting 19 mpg highway.
Octane
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: East haven ct
cheapest way to save gas is to slow down
just try it for one tank
10 mph less on highway than you have been
and speed limit in town
when i can actually do it ill get over 18mpg
just try it for one tank
10 mph less on highway than you have been
and speed limit in town
when i can actually do it ill get over 18mpg
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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think about it, the engine is turning 1750 rpm while crusing down the road. ANY air filter will flow plenty of air for that speed. NO filter will gain mpg on the highway. you might get an increase in HP and better acceleration if you got your foot in it, but again, that isnt more mpg.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Louisiana
Thank all ya'll for the input .I think I will try to loose some weight on the old foot for now and hold off with the air update.
Thank again for you all's help, this site has always been a great help
Bucyrus
Thank again for you all's help, this site has always been a great help
Bucyrus
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
I just installed a K&N 77 series on my '02 5.4. I was getting 16.3 mpg with the stock intake in what I call "real-world driving"--combination of city/hwy and both fast and gradual acceleration.
I've only run 1 tank through it since I installed the K&N series 77, and got 16.4 mpg. You might say only .1 mpg, hardly worth it, but I pulled a 6x12 trailer with an 18hp Craftsman lawnmower around for about 3/4 of the tank.
So my mileage increased by .1 mpg pulling a load, although not a heavy one, for the majority of the tank.
I'm now running my 2nd tank through with this intake installed. The truck will be empty with no trailer for this tank so I'll let you know how much that changes my mileage.
I've only run 1 tank through it since I installed the K&N series 77, and got 16.4 mpg. You might say only .1 mpg, hardly worth it, but I pulled a 6x12 trailer with an 18hp Craftsman lawnmower around for about 3/4 of the tank.
So my mileage increased by .1 mpg pulling a load, although not a heavy one, for the majority of the tank.
I'm now running my 2nd tank through with this intake installed. The truck will be empty with no trailer for this tank so I'll let you know how much that changes my mileage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Edgerton, WI
Waterdog, it will take a little time before the K&N flows as well as it can. As the filter starts to get a little dirty (500 miles tops) it will improve.
As far as what steve said about the K&N not making a difference at low rpms, the increased flow makes a different at all rpm ranges. We have 5 vehicles with K&Ns (all Fords trucks, ranging from Explorers to F-150s to F-250 SDs) and they all got increased milage with K&N filters.
Octane
As far as what steve said about the K&N not making a difference at low rpms, the increased flow makes a different at all rpm ranges. We have 5 vehicles with K&Ns (all Fords trucks, ranging from Explorers to F-150s to F-250 SDs) and they all got increased milage with K&N filters.
Octane
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Joined: Jul 2004
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dang my 5.4 never sees that kind of mpg. im gettin 13.5 best i saw was 15.4 and that was a straight 290 mile trip down I-45. maybe its the ocasional honda that i teach a lesson to but when i baby its still low. will cleaning my MAF be worth my time in gas milage? oh yea sorry bout the highjack
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
I filled up this morning on my way to work b/c I heard gas prices were going up again today.
I checked the mileage and my truck got 16.9 MPG. So, I went from 16.3 to 16.9 in my 5.4 by adding the K&N Intake (77 Series) and I gained some power/throttle response.
I bought the kit new on ebay for $169.00, which is about $100 less than list price.
To me, it was worth it.
I checked the mileage and my truck got 16.9 MPG. So, I went from 16.3 to 16.9 in my 5.4 by adding the K&N Intake (77 Series) and I gained some power/throttle response.
I bought the kit new on ebay for $169.00, which is about $100 less than list price.
To me, it was worth it.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 261
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From: St. Louis MO
What the heck am I doing wrong. I have 2003 F-150FX4 with SuperCab 4.6L and I get 14-15MPG. I have dual Magnaflow exhaust, run synthetic oil and have K&N Air Filter. I stay away from jumping on the gas, not loaded down with too much in the bed, tires balanced and aligned. Everyone I am seeing in this thread is in the upper teens with the 5.4L.