Cold Air Intake?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 84
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From: Richardson, TX
Cold Air Intake?
I recently installed a cat-back Borla SIDO exhaust system on my ’04 5.4 F150. Love the exhaust system and am very appreciative for the advice that I received from this forum!
Now I’m considering a cold air intake system; are they worth it and if so which one?? I always considered that my F150 already had a CAI due to the design of the stock system, but a gearhead buddy of mine informed that all that plumbing is restrictive, and is simply to reduce noise (like the stock muffler). Is this a fact? Sure looks like it breaths freely and cool with all that ducting, plus the stock filter appears to have more mass than an after mkt cone filter.
Anyway, intake noise isn’t an issue w/ me. I’d like to install a supercharger, but at $5,000, I’ll have to wait. I went to one of the ‘performance parts’ websites sites and found several CAI systems. One system consists of a dual tube and filter for about $300. I would think that system would be better than all the single tube/filter systems??
Now I’m considering a cold air intake system; are they worth it and if so which one?? I always considered that my F150 already had a CAI due to the design of the stock system, but a gearhead buddy of mine informed that all that plumbing is restrictive, and is simply to reduce noise (like the stock muffler). Is this a fact? Sure looks like it breaths freely and cool with all that ducting, plus the stock filter appears to have more mass than an after mkt cone filter.
Anyway, intake noise isn’t an issue w/ me. I’d like to install a supercharger, but at $5,000, I’ll have to wait. I went to one of the ‘performance parts’ websites sites and found several CAI systems. One system consists of a dual tube and filter for about $300. I would think that system would be better than all the single tube/filter systems??
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
RoushCharger for $2,400...
I used to have the Volant. It didn't do jack in the MPG department.
What it did do was add some good old fashioned 4 barrel big block noise...and it helped with that throttle delay a bit.
Honestly can't tell if I noticed any power added. I installed the Volant with about 500 miles on the motor.
The Volant rocks. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants a CAI.
btw, don't buy the Roush CAI. The design needs some work and visually it sucks....and it's open to the engine bay. I'm seriously considering upgrading my current Roush CAI to another setup
I used to have the Volant. It didn't do jack in the MPG department.
What it did do was add some good old fashioned 4 barrel big block noise...and it helped with that throttle delay a bit.
Honestly can't tell if I noticed any power added. I installed the Volant with about 500 miles on the motor.
The Volant rocks. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants a CAI.
btw, don't buy the Roush CAI. The design needs some work and visually it sucks....and it's open to the engine bay. I'm seriously considering upgrading my current Roush CAI to another setup
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 278
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From: Bethlehem, PA
I am running an S&B intake and am pretty happy with it. Easy install, and great looking; Especially with the engraved clear plastic cover. Truck gets loud under acceleration, almost like the 80's TV cop car chase scenes.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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TOW II, I have the same Borla exhaust you do (SI/DO). Installed it about a month ago. I was also looking at a bunch of different intakes and narrowed it down to AEM and Volant. I wound up ordering an AEM a few days ago (although I don't think you can go wrong with either). I can't wait to get it and see how it sounds.
Here is a clip of a stock f150 with the AEM Brute FOrce:
YouTube - 2008 5.4l Triton F-150 AEM Cold Air Intake
Here is a clip of a stock f150 with the AEM Brute FOrce:
YouTube - 2008 5.4l Triton F-150 AEM Cold Air Intake
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 84
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From: Richardson, TX
tmuti13, please keep me informed with your install. It's probably going to be at least a month before I get around to ordering a sytem. Got to payoff all this x-mas debt that I'm running up.
These all look like nice systems, including the S&B.
These all look like nice systems, including the S&B.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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I'll keep you posted. I should get mine sometime around xmas and will put it on as soon as I can. I also looked into S&B but they have an oiled filter which can cause your CEL to go off. I know that VOlant now uses a dry filter called the powercore and AEM has had a dry filter for some time now.
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Junior User
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From: Richardson, TX
I've had a K&N on my truck four years now, just have to make sure it's cleaned & oiled properly.
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From: MA
1.) The stock unit is a CAI.
2.) Yes, it looks convoluted... but the engine can only USE so much air. You could hook up an orange hazard cone to your throttle body for "EXTREME FLOW!!!"... but your motor is still only going to use X amount. Unless you are needing huge amounts of air for radical tuning.... I don't see the value in the intake upgrade.
Ford has spent a LOT of money designing every component on these trucks, including the intake. I know some disagree with me... but the CAI is a silly upgrade in my mind.
2.) Yes, it looks convoluted... but the engine can only USE so much air. You could hook up an orange hazard cone to your throttle body for "EXTREME FLOW!!!"... but your motor is still only going to use X amount. Unless you are needing huge amounts of air for radical tuning.... I don't see the value in the intake upgrade.
Ford has spent a LOT of money designing every component on these trucks, including the intake. I know some disagree with me... but the CAI is a silly upgrade in my mind.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
anyways, I wish I had held off on the CAI..initially anyways. I could have spent $50 more (at the time before price fixing went into effect
) and gotten an Edge programmer.The CAI was nice, but it honestly didn't do jack...and that will be true of all of them. Unless you get custom tuning to utilize the CAI, it just gives you noise under the hood. Gains are made, but aren't noticeable with the stock tuning
The noise was nice...but a tuner would have been nicer
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
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As stated, the factory intake is pulling cold air. It does seem a bit restrictive, but it would only be at high rpm, and that would be the only place you should see much measurable power increase.
I have heard a few people say it helps throttle response, but no noticeable power, and no mileage increase.
I have heard a few people say it helps throttle response, but no noticeable power, and no mileage increase.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
