I'm not sure how deeply this has been discussed and i think its kind of a difficult topic to narrow down on a search in particular.

Do you think that after increasing after combustion exhaust efficiency it is neccessary to upgrade your intake system to see your true potential?

OR is the stock system able to suck more air now that the outflow is better, because i thought that i recall reading about the stock system being restrictive to start with.

also, are there any good intakes that ARENT cold air? based of the whistling sound i hear everyone talking about- would a better NON cold air be effective?

 

Deeply.

Not right away... at least not til you get a tuner w/custom tunes. Otherwise you run the chance of running lean... which is bad.

The stock sys. IS restrictive. Opening up the exhaust will allow the engine to breath a lil more easily. Refer to above answer again.

You want a "Non CAI"? Take off the air box, install filter with no "box" around it. POOF! HAI (Hot Air Intake)... which is no good.

The whistling noise is just an annoyance... nothing more.

 

Agreed 100% with Turbo77's statements.

 

I was under the impression that custom tuners like the xcal 2 and others do not work well with cai...

is this an accurate statement? or is it just the xcal that works poorly in conjunction? if so, what are some other top end tuners to run... as i have been slowly gaining intrest in this subjet matter.

Thx for the info.

 

Gryphon, Troyer, VMP...

 

A straight through exhuast is a good first mod, but no, it's not gonna cause the stock intake system to draw more air. There's a sh1tload of stuff going on in between the intake and exhuast.. lol

Good exhaust is good, you'll increase your mpg, a few hp and a slight bit of torque, but the obvious compliment to more air out is more air in.. meaning opening up the intake.

Do the exhaust and then an intake kit.. just make sure the "cai" isnt one that'll make you go lean.

Custom tuning from any of those mentioned above can let you run any intake you want plus add nice hp, tq, and more.

If I was doing it all over again I'd just order a package deal for exhaust, intake and tunes from one of these guys and get it all in one shot. Save several hundred $ that way.

 

If you have the 4.6 like TexEdition does, this might be the case. (I recommend the 3" AF1 or Airraid to keep from going lean).

If you have the 5.4, forget it. Dont get an aftermarket intake without custom tuning. Even the stock tune often runs lean with the stock intake, so an aftermarket intake (yes, 3" AF1 included) will lean out the 5.4 engine.

 

#1. Exhaust
#2. Tuner (preferably w/custom tune)
#3. Intake

After that, throw on what you want/need and update your tune(s) accordingly.

 

Well, i just ordered the corsa dual tip sport exhaust rear side exit, got it for less than 630 which i feel like is a swell deal.

so im pretty stoked about that.

I was HIGHLY cautioned against getting a tuner by a close friend of mine who runs a ford service division.

He told me that many instances damage was a direct cause from tuners and intakes, particularly K&N (large dust particulates able to pass through).

He did recomend an airraid for my 5.4 tho.

MSALL why would the airraid make me run lean? shouldnt the cpu adjust me accordingly through my O2 sensors?

 

The CPU often times will not correct it enough for the increased airflow (04+ F150s). These trucks sometimes even run lean with the factory intake. The Airraid is one intake that it will somewhat correct for, but you will still run lean (maybe not to a dangerous amount though). Protect your investment (truck) and get custom tuning. Plus, the tuning will provide much more power and reliability than either the exhaust or intake will. Trust me, its worth it.

 

So let me ask you this then msall...

is the reason that tunes can be harmful to your motor in the long run, refering to canned tunes designed for stock, or poorly done custom tunes?

If this is true, are there any tell tale signs before you do some real nasty damage to your motor?

you know... like how would i be able to tell that im running lean after installing cai... smell? sound?

thanks