I want to install a aftermarket CAI system on my 04 FX4 (5.4L) and thought I'd ask for opinions from the fellow f-150 fanatics out there....

K&N FIPK or Airaid intake / poweraid throttle body spacer?

Thanks fellaz...

John

 

It depends on the model of K&N. The older ones were know to cause lean conditions, while the air raids did not. The spacers are useless on these vehicles.

 

The K&N in question is the 57 series FIPK (tube and filter and maybe the hot air dam, if avail for my application)

Thanks for the info on the throttle body spacer.

 

Everything I have read would indicate the AiRaid is the "better" of the two, but I am running a AirForce1 on my 5.4. Supposedly the AirRaid doesn't cause a lean condition. And the lean condition doesn't always result in an error code, so you could be lean and not know it without running a sniffer or some other diagnostic to determine your mixture ratio.

 

I put the K&N on my '97 4.6, and I'm almost tempted to say I lost some mpg. If I'm running lean, shouldn't my mpg have improved? Also, if I AM running lean, how can I tell w/o having to put a computer on it?

 

i think if the plugs are white, then its lean, black for too rich?

 

How is that Air Force One intake working? I haven't heard too much about it but I see quite a few guys using them. I'm now a little confused as to which intake to go with (I was somewhat confused even before posting this thread though). From all indications I like what I read about the Airaid model.

 

Dude how do you like the AF ONE intake system?

 

If it's not running lean enough to set a CEL then it isn't running lean enough to hurt anything.

 

I'm not sure if that's totally accurate. I just had my truck ('98 F150 4.6) checked for the hell of it and I am running very lean. Apparently something is telling the PCM that my truck is at 20,000' above sea level which is forcing my truck to run lean. However, since it thinks it's at that altitude, no CEL.

While this has nothing to do with a CAI, a situation has occurred with no CEL and too lean.

 

First you cannot tell from looking at plugs what the fueling condition is if there are no fault codes to back it up.
Reason is on an FI engine the fueling is held so close that the average plug will look on the lean side compaired to a carburated engine that has no such fine control. So the old way of judging plugs is out by white or tan is of little value. If the plug is black, wet or some other obvious condition, you also have a drivability condition to go with it (P030x DTC) .
Secondly the fuel tables have to shift about 10% off their "center" to trigger a CEL so the factory control has made this a safe design for normal application running. No DTC/no worry to that effect.
It has been found that some trucks don't go open loop under WOT but that is a program problem. Normally would not hurt anything but WOT power and for towing.

 

I run the airaid system (have for about 40,000 miles) never had any problems with it. it is loud when ya step on the gas, and did not improve fuel milage as they claim but it does make engine compartment look much better https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=8352

 

Thank GOD!! Glad there's someone here that ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDS how these trucks work.

 

so is the K&N 63 series OK?? Hope so I just oredered one today, I dont want my truck running lean. I tow alot with it.

 

Did it break anything?