First of all im going to state that i know i need a tune to get the full benifits of the intake

I was dissapointed in the low range torque. I think i may have lost some. but the mid-high range was very noticable. now when i get my gryphon hopefully that will take care of the low range slug and help turn the 35's i hope to put on next week.

i bought the intake used and am not sure if it needs cleaning. does anyone know what kind of "care" the intake needs. like how often do i clean it and with what??? And how to tell when it need cleaning?

 

I used to have an Airforce One on my truck. It's my understanding that they use S&B filters.

S&B says if the dirt is flush with the screen mesh on the filter, it is time to service it. The filter should be serviced every 12,000 miles typically. If it were me, I would service the filter and start fresh that way you know it's clean and will flow the best.

You can pick up one of their maintenence kits here, and have your choice of blue or red oil: http://www.sbfilters.com/products/fi...aintenance.php

 

Here is why you were dissapointed with low end torque any intake that has a metal intake tube compared to even the stock intake delivers a hotter air charge to the intake manifold hotter air means less power, you'll know what I mean if you see a Fire Red 08 comming up fast in your mirror
AEM Brute Force Intake
Replaces the stock setup with an aluminum tube, dry filter & a sheet metal heat shield. Filter has a 4” outlet which mates to the aluminum tube.

Elevated ambient temp 52.6° F (2nd highest increase of the group tested)
Could be attributed to the aluminum tube transferring underhood heat into the intake air
Lowered air pressure 1.8%
Combined result: air density 89.5%
0.7% worse than stock
6.5% worse than Ram-Air with Super-Scoop
Installation would result in a power loss

AFE Stage I and Stage II
Both systems use a filter with a 6” outlet. Stage I leaves the filter exposed with a sheet metal heat shield.

Elevated ambient temp 49.4° F
Lowered air pressure 2.7%
Combined result: air density 89.1% of ambient
1.1% worse than stock
6.9% worse than Banks
Installation would result in a power loss
Stage II has a fully enclosed housing with an integrated forward-facing scoop.

Elevated ambient temp 27.9° F
Pressure 3.0% less than stock
Combined result: air density 92.2% of ambient
2.0% better than stock
3.8% worse than Banks
Airaid Intake System
Quick-fit system filter mounts to an adapter that mates to the factory inlet duct with a 3.75” inside diameter.

Elevated ambient temp 26.8° F
Lowered air pressure 5.5%
Combined result: air density 90.1% of ambient
0.1% less than stock
5.9% worse than Banks
Installation would result in a power loss

Bullydog RFI
Sheet metal enclosure with an opening toward the factory fenderwell opening. Filter is mated to a section of elbow tubing that mates to the factory bellows & silencer.

Elevated ambient temp 19.3° F
Lowered air pressure 8.3% (only system tested that produced a lower effective air pressure than the stock system)
Combined result: air density 88.5% of ambient
1.7% worse than stock
7.5% worse than Banks
Installation would result in a power loss
Volant Cool Air Intake
Oval-shaped filter housed in an enclosed box with three openings: one at the bottom, one toward the front & one toward the fender.

Despite website claims that Volant is the “only true cool air design,” it elevated the ambient temp by 50.5° F—among the highest of the systems tested!
Lowered air pressure 3.2%
Combined result: air density 88.2% of ambient
2.0% less than stock
7.8% worse than Banks
Installation would result in a power loss
Just food for thought when choosing your next CAI.

 

How does the k&n intake compare(the plastic one)?

 

Not sure just going by the results I found on Banks site. Just helps to do lots of reserch before you buy

 

I have the volant cai with power core filter and it definetely has more power then stock . The plastic tube would not produce more heat then a metal one.

 

The tests Banks did on their "Proof" page were done with a 2004 Dodge Ram 4x4 quad cab Diesel. Not saying they are wrong, but they were not done on a Ford F150; I'd trust them for the Dodge, but the Ford could be/probably is different. Makes for great marketing, tho...

 

Hmmmm.....not sure I believe this write up, I've heard people with some of these intakes having much lower IAT when monitored in real time compared to stock.

 

not the whole "metal vs. plastic tube" debate again.

this has been beaten to DEATH before. the air doesn't linger long enough in the intake tube for any meaningful heat transfer to occur. Banks uses an enclosed air box where the ones in the test that have the highest elevated ambient do not. kits that use heat shields do not seal the filter off entirely from engine heat.

addiditonally, your arguement doesn't hold any water. the only kit in the article you listed that uses a metal tube is the AEM. Posting stats from a manufacturer trying to sell their wares is pointless. Let's see an independent test.