I know the answer most of you will send, "Go for it" That is what this is all about.

Read an earlier post, maybe by jp? talking of performance gains at WOT. I have a SISO Magnaflow and soon will have the X-Cal 9300 from TP. Have K&N filter not fipk. Does an air system do anything performance wise for average driving, towing up long grades, the occassional 2-lane passing, oh yea, and dusting the odd unsuspecting Dodge? OR will I do better in interim putting the $$ somewhere else?

Bottom line question, is there noticable performance gain with all three systems (Magnaflow, custome tunes, AF1) over just the first two and the K&N?

Does the AF1 noise increase come only under load and acceleration or is there noticable increase at highway cruise?

Thanks, Ed

 

Hey Ed,
Not really meaning to chase your posts around but...
I have the Airaid, and can tell you it gives you noticeable power where you need it. (between 2000 and 3000 rpms) Word is the AF1 tops the Airaid by 5 ponies in that range.The noise increase on the Airaid is only when you have it under a pretty good load..Kevin

 

That is where the HP gains are the most noticeable.

When you just add an intake kit, you hardly notice any gains. The same goes for an exhaust system, X-Pipe, Underdrive Pulleys,..etc..etc. You add them all together with a custom tune and you have a decent increase in HP that you can feel. All these little HP mods play their own important part in making a big difference in power.

I think people get caught up too much on each individual mod and fail to look at all the pieces and how they tie into each other.

If you think you will want to add other Performance mods (x-pipe, pulleys,..etc) then yes, go with the AF1. If you aren't interested in these things, then save your money and buy some new CDs.

The intake noise is at heavy acceleration and under a load. You wont notice any increase intake noise at normal driving conditions.

That's my .02

 

Thanks Kev, no sweat, appreciate the input and it sounds like it does make a dif.

Dawg, you confused me. Sounds like the synergistic effect of everything together is what is important, but then you said with only the three mods (tune, exhaust and air intake) the addition of the air doesn't play that much into overall performance gain? I thought those three mods were the "Big Three" bolt -on performance kicks?

Thanks again, Ed

 

I just gave you those as examples. You could also add electric fans, ported throttle body, underdrive pulleys, x/h pipe, lower gears, nitrous, super chargers, turbo chargers, internal engine mods...etc. The list is endless.

My overall point was, all these mods work together as a power system and don't get too caught up with HP claims from each individual component. Furthermore, you should have a clear idea of what you want/expect from your truck. Do you want the max power and performance, or are you just trying to make it a little more fun to drive?

Most people want the latter, that's why 'the big three', are 'the big three'.

My first mod was my exhaust. I didn't buy it because of any HP gains that I may/may not get from it. I bought it because I wanted my truck to sound like a truck should sound. The more time I spent on this site, the more interested I became with engine performance, so I got the AF1, and Xcalibrator. I will be adding an x-pipe, lower gears, underdrive pulleys, and possibly some e-fans. Those are my plans as of now. I want the most HP I can get out of her. It will take time, but I really enjoy it.

 

I got my K&N 77 seires, and I love it. It was fun to put in, and I can feel a slight difference.

Do it!

 

The Air Force One intake kit is the Big Dog on the block now. They supposedly give you 25 HP at the rear wheels on the 3-valve 5.4L V8 motors at just 3000 rpm, that’s a bunch! I don’t have one yet, but RP says he could feel a noticeable difference in his “butt dyno”. You also must take into consideration the AF1 has been in R&D for over a year perfecting it so one would assume it would be everything it’s cracked up to be.

Air Force One Intake Kit for the all-new 2004 & up Ford F-150 with 3-valve 5.4 300 HP V8 engines!

 

Thanks Guys, Appreciate eveyone's input and advice. Mike has to love this site! I'm going to call him shortly and finish the order. X-C 9300 and AF1.

I'll try to post pics of the truck. '97 step side 4x4 Off Road, but with a little different paint. White with lower trim in black. 4.6 w 3.55 LS, MagnaFlow SISO and soon to have X-C and AF1. Going to start looking for the mail soon. ( Now if I could only make up my mind about the tunes )

Ed

 

Hi again Ranger!

Don't sweat the tunes. You can go with Mike's or JP's recommendations for now, and change them later at any time.

They are just email updates.

Mine are:

87 Max perf ( No tow)
91 Max perf ( Sh***y gas version - No tow)
92 Max perf ( No tow)

If I need to tow, I'll put back the stock tune. I *never* tow ;-)).

I have access to corporate gas here at work at a substantial discount, but it's 92 Octane and the quality varies - it' not dirty, but is lower in energy content than my first pick - Sunoco. Hence my choice of tunes. Can't argue with the price though!.

If I had to pay retail at the pump: $1.10/litre x 4.54 x25 = $123.75 CDN to fill up !!! Ouch ! I pay a lot less than that.

For grins, I ran a tank of Sunoco 94, took Mike's 92 octane max perf tune, edited via ExtremeTune, bumped up the timing and played with the A/F ratios. A small but noticeable difference. on the butt dyno. If I has a *proper* 94 Octane tune, and I was rich, that's what I'd run all the time ;-))

Good luck and enjoy your mods!
Cheers