I've searched but I need some real input on intakes for the 5.4 3valve triton. I read about the AF1 throwing CEL's but don't know if any of the others do the same. The last thing I or anyone else wants to do is put hard earned $ into an unsafe intake. Thanks for thew input.

Will.

 

Do a little more searching and you will see that it is not the intake that causes the CEL, or to be more politically correct, the CEL is the result of the parameters being set too tight on the ECM which causes the code..

 

Well if that's the case then my k/n drop in should be throwing CEL's.

 

And also, the AF1 doesn't throw a CEL on EVERY install... It's not a 'given' that an intake will throw a code...

AF1 installed... thousands and thousands of miles on it... ZERO CELs.

 

These mass air sensors are very sensitive towards intake air changes...theorically, any intake kit could cause a check engine light. As far as it being damaging, well, unless it's in extreme cases (like WOT dyno pulls), I don't think the engine will run lean enough to cause damage. Maybe the Troyer guys will say otherwise, but I'd figure the PCM would revert to a failsafe mode just puttering around town that'd run on the richer side of lean to prevent any possible engine damage.

ETA: Ask around about drop shackles, for instance, some guys will say they had vibrations afterwards, some guys didn't. What I'm trying to say is that there's no guarantee on what will and won't set an MIL. You won't know 'till you try.

 

The K and N FIPK system is the safest one I know of. I haven't heard of anyone throwing any CEL's with this system.

 

As stated in another response here, not all vehicles are experiencing this issue. Some are a little more sensitive if you will because of the parameters in the factory ECM settings. I had several issues with my truck even before I installed the Air Force1 for R&D purposes. I had attempted to run an altered air intake using just a conical filter installed on the end of the factory intake tube and had the truck go into the limp mode twice before I figured out what the issues were. It took over 500 miles to do it, but it eventualy happened.
Then after the AF1 had been on for several thousand miles without a CEL, one day I was cruising along and presto, the CEL appeared. After a whole lot of hours on the dyno and some serious data logging we discovered that the factory tune was just too tight on the A/F's and that even though I was getting CEL codes, the truck was NOT actually running lean even though the light was on. The parameters in the factory tune were causing the light to come on prematurely.

 

So the K/N fipk is safe, any more? I read in numerous posts about the AF1, before and after the redesign, and I believe there were CEL problems on both, I think. I don't know about the airaid, anyone having problems with that one?

 

Nothing is ever safe, if your worried so much; dont buy it.

 

Novel idea. Next.

 

hey Will, I'm surprised no one else has posted...there are plenty of us with Airaid intakes that have no CEL problems at all.

Plus the composite plastic finish on the Airaid should hold up alot better than the metal AF1 intake. On daily driver vehicles, those shiny metal intakes turn dull over time....

 

Glad you posted this, I've been searching and searching and reading and reading and have had a hard time deducting the answer to the same question; but nothing.

From what I've read, K&N is closer to no CEL's..

 

Ive had AirRaid intake on for about 15k miles.. NO CEL. Ive read of guy getting CEL from AirRaid, but it was due to improper install (Not seated on throttle body tightly).

AF1 is supposed to gain a few more HP over AirRaid. SOme had problems with it, most didnt.

I opted for the AirRaid because it was out to the public first. If I could go back in time.. I *might* have gotten the AF1.. dunno.

EDIT: Troyer Performance stated that after R&D that K&N had little or no gain in performance, just sound.

 

#1 Airforce 1 is polished stainless steel and will NOT tarnish or dull.
#2 The stainless steel does NOT hold more heat than plastic.
( I took part in R&D'ing this issue)
#3 The reason K&N does not cause any CEL's is because it does NOT allow
nearly as much airflow as the Air Force 1 .
#4 The closest CAI to the AF1 in performance is the AirRaid.

 

So the true way to ensure no problems will arise with an intake would be to have a different program via chip or programmer, right? This would make sure the mixture wouldn't be too lean.

So some people have had problems with their intake because they didn't install it properly? I know about leaks because I have a ford probe turbo and any intake leaks definately cause proiblems. I guess these engines are just as sensitive as far as the air goes.

The light is starting to brighten!