O.K. - if can't tell by my name "new ford fan" I have only had my truck a short time. I have been reading threads from way back and still have a couple of questions.

First off let let me say I have an 08 F150 King Ranch 4x4 with the 5.4 and about 29,000 miles. I had the exhaust done this weekend (11" flowmaster 44 - single in and dual out with 18" chrome tips) and thank everyone for the input in other threads that helped me make the decission. Now I am looking for a cold air intake and eventually a tuner.

1. What is the best CAI? I read something about S&B??? Who is this? Are they better than K&N or Air Raid? What about the homemade version?

2. What mods can be made that will NOT void factory warranty and which one will? I was told CAI can not be installed without vioding warranty? I am pretty sure the programmer can not be done till warranty runs out as well?

3. Does Gryphon sell a programmer or do you buy one from some where else and send it them to have it re-programmed? (I tried the web site but they are on vacation this week - but from what I have read the Gryphon is the and this is probably the route I will go.)

Thats all for now - Thanx - Shawn

 

First, welcome to the site! Dealers look at CAIs and tuners differently. Talk to your dealer and see how they view those mods as far as warranty goes.

Keep in mind, that unless you have a custom tune, you do not take full advantage of a CAI. The air/fuel table must be modified.

It has been proven that the simple mod in the How To section does almast as much good as a CAI when you have a custom tune. PHP, the seller of the Gryphon, posted dyno runs.

You can buy a new Gryphon from PHP which will be sent to you with canned tunes. YOu can then order the custom tunes to fit your truck and the mods you want to do.

One last thing, please watch the language and that includes circumventing the language filter. Again, welcome and hope the site proves beneficial to you.

 

I'll second that. Back when I did my research I kept seeing people saying on here that an Air Force 1 CAI was the best you could get for our trucks. So I managed to snag one before they went under.

To be honest I paid premium for the name brand and maybe a few measly HP that I can't even feel. Most CAIs people have will be the same in terms of what you'd experience personally as a difference from the stock intake. The only difference would be on paper.

 

And maybe increased noise to sound like it's doing a lot!

 

Regarding which CAI is the best, that is purely subjective... After an exhaustive search I chose the aFe Magnum... It is dyno tested to provide 19hp on a 5.4l engine... Believe it... It is less expensive than K & N and I certainly would choose it again...







Here's what it looks like installed...

 

Says AFE or a third party?

Either way, the running for the best CAI is very, very close.

 

If youre decent with metal working and custom fabrication you could even try to make your own CAI...I just used my stock intake set-up from the supercharger i put on then bought an S&B Filter and some sheet metal and went to work...Now i have a custom CAI...Dont know what the numbers on it are but it improved my mpg by 1.5 mpg or more

Heres my setup


The whole thing ran me about 75-80 bucks, but then again i used the best (and probably most expensive) sheet metal out there -- stainless steel -- because it has the lowest thermal conductivity.

Good luck with your decision though and know that almost any CAI paired with a good tune is bound to increase performance

 

Air Force One

 

They are out of business, so would have to be one left on a shelf or used one.

 

Gotts Mod would be cheapest...

http://www.fordf150.net/articles/idx...ification.html
Troyer Performance has power gains stated at +25 hp at the rear wheels, although keep in mind they are (were) selling them.



Dyno sheet from this site comparing AF1 3.5" and JLT.




x2. I'd say try and snag a used one (3" to prevent a lean code). They use S&B filters so it won't be a problem if it's used. Just buy a new filter. I'm glad you brought this thread up, though. It's about time to clean my filter...

 

Bill at PHP did some dynos of a CAI, I cant't remember the brand. With a custom tune, I am recalling 16 hp. On the same truck, he just removed the restricktive nozzel off the stock intake and got 13 hp with that same custom tune. He posted up the sheets, but I am not going to hunt them down. My conclusion is that the Gotts type mod with a drop in filter will give you almost as much gain as a $300 CAI.

 

I agree. New ford fan, if price is a factor (usually is for everyone ), then go with the custom Gotts modification. You won't be able to tell the difference.

 

Thanx all for the info - I will continue to do more research and then make a decission --- After I call my service manager at the dealership and find out what he say's about warranty issues.

 

Yes sir, I agree for that model. Like the older 97-03 models you need the basic tube, but besides that, all that you suggest