I have got a 2005 f-150 Supercrew 4.6. I have a really stupid question so please be gentle lol. But if air intake systems are so great and save on gas, sound good and give better power, then why doesn't Ford make it stock. I mean you would think that they would have just made it better by now. I have been tossing the up the idea of getting one but I don't really know if they work and which one to get. Thanks Rick

 

Yes, they work, and many swear by the AirForce1 intake, I have the K&N FIPK and I love it, but also have the BBK 75mm throttle body upgrade to go along with it, and recently added the Ford Lightning's 90mm MAF sensor so compared to stock I have a much larger intake cross section for more air from idle to WOT although it really only comes into play the closer you get to WOT.

 

Rick, I think you answered your own question. They don't work. They don't even make the truck sound better.

Well, I once saw an increase of 2 HP on a 3V 5.4L with a corresponding 6% increase in fuel consumption (K&N). Hardly worth the trouble for 1.5% increase in HP.

 

I know my airforce one works. I noticed a great improvement when towing my camper. If i want to speed up to pass someone on the highway while towing i dont have to plan my attack and kick it down any more. I just give it a little gas and away i go. even though my gas mileage did go down. When you put more air through the engine it also takes in more gas. When i put my cat back exhaust on i noticed an improvement in gas mileage. So i'm back to stock mileage now.

 

Thanks ton's it gets confusing as what tis the best thing to do but I think I ll just hold off and get a better air filter for starters, and do some more research. Thanks again. Any more helpful hints would be great.

 

I run the AF1 3" and it certainly makes a difference in both the throttle response and the sound. It hasn't hurt my mileage any either.

One reason that Ford (and other manufacturers) don't use these "cai's" as stock is that they ARE louder. You have to keep in mind who they're marketing their vehicles to. Not everyone, most people probably, don't want to hear that induction sound or the bit of growl that you get with an aftermarket intake. Ford goes to great lengths to make the intake as quiet as possible.

You can do a search here on intakes and read hours worth of how this reduces the performance of our trucks, how to correct it, and do it properly.

I love having the AF1 on my truck, doesn't hurt a thing, sounds great, and wakes the engine up a bit..

 

Yup a stock intake is designed to keep the truck/car quiet. And an aftermarket intake does make a big difference in these trucks.

 

First mod I did was a CAI. I noticed a big difference when I put it on! I went with a K&N 77 series and I've been happy with my choice.

 

I guess I will put my first post here as I am catching up on Ford Info (Just bought an 02 Supercrew) Most of my expertise is on Jeep TJ's.

What I understand and have been told by some folks and the number 1 reason for non use of a CAI on stock engines is the "Oiled Filter". There have been a few warranty claims in the past few years that where denied due to the Oil actually fouling the MAF. Not sure if this is possible on the Ford, again Im 100% new to Fords and the 5.4 engine, but I do know Jeep has denied a few warranties from the K&N's and AEM's lately with this issue.

Now with that in mind I havent seen it yet but AEM introduced a Non Oiled CAI for Jeeps last year, I ran one on my TJ "AEM Brute Dry Force". In fact I was going to see if it was available for the Ford before I went the route of CAI.

BTW on the Dry Flow or non Oiled filters, Particle filtration was equal too an Oiled filter, they where easier to clean and maintain as well. A simple solution of 1 part Simple Green to 10 parts water, simalar agitations in luke warm water rinse and let dry.

Dave