I was reflecting on how thrilled I am with the performance of my new setup - to wit: Airaid air box and Superchip. I'm sure if you attempted to measure the differences between the available air boxes, the differences might be immeasureable. But, I can't help but wonder why Airaid designed the lightning setup around a box that seals to the hood. Airaid is a quality house that is well known for their intake systems. Every intake system that they make is of the tube/filter setup, but their latest (and perhaps greatest) design effort was the newly released box for the Lightning. Why would they have not just gone with the usual tube/filter setup. Perhaps, their engineers have a new (and better) idea. Hmmmmmmmmm!

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Sandy (Spider) Scott
Skydive69@msn.com
Apopka, Florida
99 White Lightning #2091 DOB 6-8-99
Airaid air box & Superchip
Honda Valkyrie - 2 Bros exhaust - K&N filter -Corbin Seat (after 30 yrs. of Harley riding)

 

An excellent question! Me thinks that perhaps the underhood heat issue is more of one than some people suggest. I am willing to believe some hard evidence that the heat under the hood shows no detrimental effects, but no one has really shown this to be an actual fact, and it's probably pretty hard to do so give the various climates that we all range in. I know from some of the Vortech installs that I have done on F-body cars that it gets a lot hotter under that hood. Totally different design, yes, but still, the concept is the same. That is why they mount the air cleaner in a box under the right front compartment where the cruise control is (and is thus relocated) and also because of obvious space restrictions. I also think that an open element under the hood like that has the potential for some water to get into it. Not that the AirRaid system is totally enclosed as such, but it does offer some protection. Maybe they kept the box closed to allow for the velocity of air coming in through the fender (however little it may be...) to be of a greater charge.

Regardless, that is the setup that I am going to go with. I like the way it looks! I don't think we are talking a lot of difference in power between them all as it is. They all just help the engine gulp in more cfms.

Paul G.

 

You can make the stock hole in the fender larger with a cut off tool, then paint the bare edges and use a vacume hose cut down the middle to go around the hole. Scott

 

Hey guys,

I would think that the setup like dad has would be better because not only do you get the air comming from inside the fender but also the air comming through the grills too. Although the air comming through the grill would be a bit warmer, it is still more air.

Just my two cents...

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Tommy 'Lightning Boy' Shelton (son of the Wyldman)

 

Paul:

Of course I had my opinion, but I chose not to articulate it, namely, that it is hard to believe that bringing fresh air in from the wheel well would not be cooler than the air in the engine compartment - especially the way I hot rod my L.

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Sandy (Spider) Scott
Skydive69@msn.com
Apopka, Florida
99 White Lightning #2091 DOB 6-8-99
Airaid air box & Superchip
Honda Valkyrie - 2 Bros exhaust - K&N filter -Corbin Seat (after 30 yrs. of Harley riding)

 

thats what the stock setup does, uses 100% cool fender air, the box itself was found to be restrictive, not the filter. the cool air would be a much bigger factor in a non-intercooled setup. if you remove the stock airbox in favor of any of the 3 choices, you are ahead of the game.

 

Sandy,
I just spoke to Mike Troyer and I'm just waiting to get a date from him to go to Longwood. I would like to see your air box set up. I will either make my on or get on like yours. I like the box concept myself. Let me know if I could meet you somewhere at your convience. Thanks!
Tom
ps, does the "stock" position put everything exactly the way it is without the chip?

 

blue blood:

Yes, the stock position is factory settings. The whole point of that position was that if one finds themselves in a fuel challenged position, the engine will not suffer during that period. I have yet to experience the first ping running in performance mode, and it is as slick running as it can get. I'm flexible. I work on the South side of Orlando in the International Drive area, and live up North in the Apopka area. Let me know, and we can easily arrange a meet. You will absolutely love your Superchip, and the Airaid box is well engineered and executed.

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Sandy (Spider) Scott
Skydive69@msn.com
Apopka, Florida
99 White Lightning #2091 DOB 6-8-99
Airaid air box & Superchip
Honda Valkyrie - 2 Bros exhaust - K&N filter -Corbin Seat (after 30 yrs. of Harley riding)

 

Sandy,
I,m in Osceola county. I could meet you either way. I can get free anytime. I don't want to put you out.
Tom

 

Tom:

My work number is 407-345-0511. I get in at 11AM. Any time that is convenient for you will be convenient for me - I'm the boss.

I'm at 7500 Municipal Drive which is off of Sand Lake Road. I can give you directions from either I4, or coming up John Young Parkway. Give me a call, and you can come over and see the box.

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Sandy (Spider) Scott
Skydive69@msn.com
Apopka, Florida
99 White Lightning #2091 DOB 6-8-99
Airaid air box & Superchip
Honda Valkyrie - 2 Bros exhaust - K&N filter -Corbin Seat (after 30 yrs. of Harley riding)

 

My thoughts (personal opinion here) on the new Lightning Airaid C.A.D. Cool Air Dam was designed knowing that the Supecharged Lightning trucks produce much more under hood heat then a normal F-150 with the 5.4L motor. I would assume such testing could have been done and there was a difference, so that would explain a change for a filter box for the Lightning.

Same theory applies (sort of)for the JBA headers for the 5.4L motors. They recommend using the 2000 degree Jet black high temperture coatings to minimize the heat that is produced from under the hoods of these beast!

If Ford would make a Lightning in a Supercab or Supercrew version then I would buy one! I need room for four.Well I will keep dreaming!

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Roger Lemere
F150online.com
Digital Mkt.Place Advisor
DBA Lemere Enterprises
Roger@F150online.com
916-361-2510

 

The air temperature underhood can affect performance. There is a sensor for the air intake, air charge temp(ACT). ACT sends the signal to the PCM/EEC, as temperature rises the PCm retards the spark timing based on the tables it has programmed into it. This will reduce power. Cooler air from the fender or the front of the vehicle will give the best results.
Racers often put 100K resistor in the place of the sensor, this tells the PCM that the air is 0 degrees and advances timing to the max.

birdman

 

Hey birdman
You're going to give all of the cool easy tips away (just kidding). You are right many of the racers modify their ACT sensors, from escort guys all the way up. It is a very cheap way to have control over spark. Hello Radio Shack.

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BABolt
SVT#290

 

Any tips on how to do this? I'd like to try it. Scott

 

Ooh, does that mean if I use a variable resistor I could build a small 'black box' to control spark? If 100K resistor is 0, do you know what 100 celsius would be equal to?