I've contacted the following air intake companies with questions regarding the compatibility of their intakes with factory tuned engines:

-S&B
-AirAid
-K&N
-Volant

I've called AEM, but haven't gotten anyone to answer yet.

As soon as I get replies from all companies, I will post -verbatim- their responses.

*****NOTE: I informed them that I drove a 2004 F-150 5.4 Liter...so their answers will be for a 2004 F-150 5.4 Liter. It may be different for other year models and engine sizes.

 

Regardless of their responses the lean condition is a fact. It has been verified by dyno testing and by the CEL with OBD lean codes some get in extreme cases. Remember some 2004's were lean right from Ford with the stock intake. There is no debate.

 

I don't think any info from the manufacturers will necessarily prove anything. Maybe if they provide dyno run results. I think the only proof will be taking a truck to a dyno and making comparison runs. As I remember, Troyer did dyno runs and found that the 2004s came from the factory running lean.

 

I'm not trying to start an argument, but after reading the forums and getting mixed messages about running lean with a CAI I decided to contact the manufacturers themselves. If the results on the forum had -consistenly- (and by consistently, I mean every single person saying without a doubt anywhere a vehicle WILL run lean without aftermarket tuning with your CAI) shown that your vehicle will, in fact, run lean if you install a CAI without a custom tune I would've stopped there and believed it.

But seeing that I got mixed messages about the situation I decided to broaden the research a little bit.

Oh and for anybody that is reading this, I'm not one that is in search of gobs of excessive power from my truck. I don't take it to the tracks nor do I intend to. I don't even race my buddies on Main street or whatever. I'm just looking for a shade bit better performance. Just trying to make it carry itself a little better than it does.

If I wanted an ***-load of power, I wouldn't be driving a pickup truck

 

Ok...here are the responses I got from the manufacturers:

AirAid:

"Hello Josh,
Our Airaid part # 400-140-2 that fit’s 2004-2008 5.4L Ford F-150 does not require and aftermarket tuning.
Your factory Mass air flow sensor will compensate for the additional air flow.
Any other questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
David Edelman
AIRAID Filter Company
800-498-6951 Ext. 712
www.Airaid.com"

K&N:

"Dear K&N Customer,

Thank you for your interest in K&N products. All K&N performance intake systems are designed to accommodate all factory sensors and mounting locations. No additional tuning is necessary to make this kit function properly. The vehicle’s ECU will make the proper adjustments to the added amount of airflow. The performance intake for your particular vehicle is part number 57-2556 http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=57-2556. This particular intake system is recognized by the Air Resource Board of California as a smog legal intake modification, so it comes with a C.A.R.B. approval decal. If you have any questions please contact our customer service department at 800-858-3333 and an agent will be happy to assist you.

Paul Powell
Customer Account Manager
K&N Engineering Inc."

S&B:

"Josh,

We tune our intake kit so that it is almost identical to the stock system at the MAF which would keep your vehicle from running lean. You can purchase the product on our web site as well as view the ISO 5011 Testing conducted on the kit. The part number is 75-5023 and it sells for $269. If your not completely satisfied, you can return it within 30 days even after you have installed it.

Best regards,
Berry"

AEM:

Phone conversation with a tech guy...said something about how everything they have is tested on OEM vehicles and no further adjustment was needed unless you wanted to


Take what you want out of that. I'm not trying to say I'm right and everyone else is wrong. Just kind of an FYI thing.

But in all fairness, it would probably be a good idea to tune your computer to your CAI to squeeze every ounce of power possible out of it. But in my honest opinion, it probably isn't going to hurt you if you choose not to.

Hopefully this helps the ones who are in a debate in whether to get one without a tune or not.

To each his own

 

Nice work! Obviously they are trying to sell a product, but at least you delivered info straight from the manufacturers which is appreciated.

 

Thank you for not bashing me!

No but really...it is true that they're trying to be salesmen, but at least this info is coming straight from the people who make the product. I don't know about everyone, but it helped me make my decision whether or not to mess with CAI. Now I just have to decide which one...I'm kinda split between AirAid and S&B.

Any suggestions?

 

I think your idea was good. Many say, and I do believe, that some 04's came lean from the factory. If the CAI was mounted on a truck with a lean condition from the factory I hardly see how it could be responsible for the condition after the CAI was installed. I run my AF1 without tuning and don't lose a bit of sleep over it

 

I commend your effort but you've got to remember this information is COMPLETELY biased. I wonder what kind of R&D they are doing all of the time. Are they running each intake on each vehicle? Even if they are, they can't run it on every single vehicle strategy, than you've got other conditions like where the person lives and other mods that will effect it. So in the end spend the extra money. Do it once and do it right, not twice !!

Get the S&B ...

 

I think I am going to buy a S&B and sell off my K&N because everywhere I read I see so many more people like the S&B over everything else.

I do like the fact that you have taken the time to do this and get the info straight from the horses mouth. I'm sure the best possible thing you could do fir your engine is get a tuner with a tune along with the CAI but I think it is safe to say that the computer is going to somewhat protect you from blowing your engine up because of a lean condition.

You have to realize the engine has to be super lean over a short period of time or somewhat lean over a very long period of time to do any major damage. By then hopefully you will have seen a CEL or limp mode and been able to figure out there is a problem.

 

I probably will end getting a tuner sometime...I was just making sure that there wasn't any serious and immediate threat by not having one.

I'm just a college kid...money takes a little longer to come around. So I do what I can when I can afford something.

Oh, and about the S&B intakes...I've read that you have to oil them and everything. Is that a pain in the *** by any means? I mean, I don't mind doing it if I have to, but I just was curious if its a bloody freaking mess to deal with.

 

Every 10k and takes maybe 20 minutes plus dry time. Its worth it

 

Hey thanks...just put my order in to autoanything for an S&B intake!

Does 269.95 and free shipping sound fair?

 

Bought one for a buddy from CNC Motorsports. $205, was free shipping at the time.

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/

 

Dude thats a bad idea. Im not saying that just because i run a K&N and love it, i only have it because it is the best legal intake in CA. If i could run an AF1 i would.

But the power difference between all of these intakes is very minimal, your money would be much better spent on custom tuning.