So how do you know what the current fuel to air ratio is? How do you know what it should be after upgrades? Is there a way to adjust it without the use of a programmer?

 

The PCM controls it. Closed Loop: ~ 14.7:1. Open Loop: ~ 11-12:1

You cannot & should not change it. The ONLY person who has any bidess modifying it is a competent F150 custom tuning shop.

IF you plan any mods that will affect it, you MUST correct via custom tuning delivered via a flash programmer. E.g - skewing the MAF TF via a POS CAI, will change it - and not for the better.

You can monitor it with a wideband: http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/

BTW - that site also contains some excellent tutorial information if ye's fixin' t' learn sump'fin: http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/resources.php

 

So with that kit, the only thing it will do is tell me where my ratio is at.

I currently have a K&N intake and a Gibson SIDO exhaust. (Don't knock the gibson I'm happy with it and got a great deal on it)

Now I bought my truck brand new and the dealer offers a lifetime warranty on the vehicle. I can swap the parts to stock at any time. But I want to avoid a programmer. I had one in my 06 and only had issues with it because NC requires an annual inspection. Loved what it did but dealing with the shops and the programmer was a headache. But essentially only a qualified tuner knows what to put on the truck to make sure the engine is efficient? I was trying to hold off on the tuner until I decided whether to upize the tires or not.

 

It's as much about safe, sustainable gains as it is efficiency.

Regardless - if yer truck has a slot-style MAF yer K&N (which offers absolutely NO perf benefit despite all the BS marketing, BTW ) IS certainly skewing yer MAF's accuracy - which in turn REQUIRES transfer function correction via a custom tune.

Hence - avoiding a programmer is... well, it's dumb, is what it is. And possibly hazardous to yer engine. Sorry.

Yet even More reading for you, if you'd care to know more - and I sincerely hope you retain an open mind and are willing to listen & learn:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/3912951-post27.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/4739726-post9.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ex...tock-tune.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ex...ir-intake.html

There is MUCH more if you wanted to leverage the search tool to find it.

Bottom line - I'd remove the K&N, reinstall yer OEM intake and move on, unless you wanted to invest in something that works, is safe, and actually adds performance benefits.

There is always some clueless fool that will be willing to buy yer K&N intake in the Classifieds, Fleabay, Craigslist er Kijiji,

good luck


MGD

PS - I woon't knock ye Gibson. I had one - did not add perf, sounded okay - until the internal baffles came loose & rattled like a bastige. Dint sound okay af'er that. Which is actually common. Got rid of it, never looked back.

 

In addition, some dealers will try not to honor the warranty if you have an engine problem while running a K&N.

 

They really won't honor it if I have a tune in.

I like tuners. If it weren't for the state of NC and my warranty I'd already have one.

I'm not thrilled with thinking the K&N was a complete waste. I may yank it, I may not. Is it hurting anything leaving it in?

I do appreciate your help MGDfan and bluejay. I'm actually a long time member trying to get his accounts merged. Im very familiar with the search bar but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

 

Yer welcome, sir.

^^^ Sadly bud, you won't know without direct measurement of yer A/F's (datalogs with a wideband and other PCM parameters in a controlled fashion). However, the preponderance of the evidence suggests it would be prudent to return to stock until you have a proper tune for it.

Good luck - and best of luck with the account merge.

Cheers
MGD

 

The K&N filter also lets a lot more dust through than a stock paper filter, and the oil can foul the MAF.