OK its my first post so everyone get the shut up noob comments overwith and then help me out. haha So I just got my first f150. 4x4 with the 5.4 in it. I started looking at that god awful intake system it has on it. So obviously the first mod i'm thinking about is the intake. But I heard that the reason it is so constrictive is because at highway speeds it will surge and pulse with an aftermarket intake. Can anyone clear this up for me? is it true or as always is my friend wrong? Thanks

 

First thing is to ask your friend to prove his statement.
I don't think there are any common aftermarket manifolds that will work on these engines except specific race types that would not be useful for street function.
Your perception of the stock manifold is founded on what? Just looks?
You need to understand that the intake is a tuned system to help get torque from small engine displacements for pulling a 5000 lb + trucks at reasonable levels of performance. Tuned intakes have been the rule since 1985.
Did you know that the 4.6 is 281 cu/in. and the 5.4 is 330 cu/ in.?
Would you not think these engines need some help where ever the factory could get it? Even the stock exhaust system is tuned reguardless of what many think.
I know there are certain aftermarket parts that could be applied but a sacrafice in drivability would result.
These engines have already been converted to carburation and regular ignition for that matter but not something you would ever want on a street truck except as a specific performance project.
Hang around and read some before you get high on modifications so soon.

 

Thanks for the reply. I dont wanna change the manifold just the intake. As in a CAI ( cold air intake) I am very familiar with the 4.6 and the 5.4. I went from a 03 Mustang GT. Modded out to about 450 hp I never had any trouble with pulsing on my GT but It also didnt have a new 3 valve 5.4. see my guess would be that the 5.4's respond similar to the 4.6 when modding. but I just wanted to get a second oppinion.
Thanks

 

If you built a 450 HP 4.6 mill you should know that the 5.4 intake is actually pretty good.

Leave it alone.

 

i have a K@N intake on my 03 5.4 it works great, no surging or anything like that, it has paid for itself many times since i can clean the filter instead of buying one, good luck

 

Yeah I think thats what I'm gonna do. I gotta remember its a truck not a mustang. haha. I doubt I'm gonna get the gain on this that I did on my blown GT.

 

based on what?

 

check out this intake that i made














yes i did



...zap!

 

2005 5.4 FX4 running with the AIRAID intake. no surge,lunging or problems.

 

Can you make me one of those?
Please....

 

how much $$$$ do you have?

...zap!

 

Usually enough to get by...

 

I put an Air Force One air inlet system on about 3 years ago on my '01 Supercrew 5.4. Runs great, no surges or any problems. Runs great at highway speeds although the heaviest thing I've towed with it is my bass boat. It took me about 1 - 1.5 hours clock time to install it myself with just common hand tools.

I've cleaned the K&N filter element a couple of times and you can always tell the difference. Be very careful when you remove the temp sensor from the old system...it's very stubborn and can be easily broken.

Check it out here: http://www.hopupracing.com/aioneststpei2.html

Good luck. I think the intake coupled with the Gibson catback has been great add ons to this already great truck.

Semper Fi,
Steve...Pensacola
USMC 1972 - 2003

 

I have a Volant CAI on my 4.6, and I think it gave a minimal boost of power. It takes true cold air from the original wheel well inlet, which is better than under the hood warm air, and it is well made, fits well, etc.
Actually the biggest issue with the CAI is running lean. I have custom tuning with an air / fuel ratio gauge - pretty safe.
Keep reading the posts, and searching, there are lotsa posts about CAIs. LOL