Just got an '08 FX2 with the 5.4L. I've been going back and reading up on CAI's. Here's my question: If I put on a CAI, will it run too lean? Will I have to get it tuned?

And which brand of CAI would you suggest?

 

I myself just bought a 08 150 5.4L supercrew and I bought a Volant CAI and it runs great,

 

I just bought 08 fx4 and I have been looking at putting a S&B cai on. from my experience you dont have to tune or anything.... It is a direct self sufficient bolt on.

 

S&B from AutoAnything.com Xcal2 or Xcal3 from VMPTuning.com It'll be a whole new truck.

I tried to run a S&B cold air intake with no tuning and than the Edge. Lucky for me I'm very close to quite a few dynos. I didn't like the problems that I had with the Edge so I decided to get a custom tuned Xcal2 from VMP Tuning. When I got on the dyno, I found out that I was running extremely lean with the S&B and factory tuning. We tried it with the Edge and it was a little bit better but not safe by any means. Not to mention that it did not throw a CEL, either. So just because you don't have a CEL does not mean you are safe. To get an accurate reading you need to get hooked up to a wideband A/F. A tuner will cost you $400, is it really worth not getting it? In my mind, it's stupid if you don't. These are pretty expensive trucks. Not to mention that it's going to make your truck perform much better, better gas mileage probably, much safer, better driveability, etc.

 

Thanks Thumper for the info.

So eventhough the S&B says:

"S&B Cold Air Intakes also help balance air/fuel ratios that improve your gas mileage,"

I'd still probably need the X-Cal???

(not trying to be a smart-azz, just trying to get as much info as possible...so I hope it doesn't sound that way)

Thanks again!

 

No it doesn't sound like that at all. S&B is just trying to sell intakes. That claim doesn't even make sense. Just get the Xcal2 or Xcal3, I promise you won't be sorry.

 

I have talk to many of my friends the say that the volant is a true CAI with an enclosed box and a ram air scoop..

 

I love my S&B, I don't have custom tunes YET and I'm running a LITTLE lean, can't remember the exact numbers, will have to look it up at home.

 

Timberwolf, I've read on here that the ram air scoop for the Volant is more or less negligible.

Tkinz, for what it's worth, the research that Troyer Performance has done seems to favor the S&B and the AF1. The general consensus on here seems to be that the AF1 is the best (after a lot of R&D, Troyer seems to agree) and that the S&B is a very close second but is much cheaper. Therefore, the S&B is a "better buy."

I just purchased the Stage 1 Performance Package from Troyer which includes the S&B intake. However, they offer an upgrade to the 3.0" AF1 for a very small fee and to me, it was worth trying. I haven't installed the AF1 yet, but follow the thread linked below for updates.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ch...e-package.html

To the Volant's credit, a friend of mine has the Volant and is very pleased. He thinks that he's getting better MPG's but hasn't driven enough to reach a decent conclusion.
Best of luck to you tkinz!

 

Some intakes will run a little more lean than others will on 04+ trucks, but my opinion is the very best thing would be get the xCal2 immediately afterwards to prevent any damage.