Gryphon with K&N 77 Series

[Toigs325]

Hi all,

I am the new guy. I have spent a day or two searching the site for as much information as I can because I am going to be getting a programmer/tune soon (probably a Gryphon). I am currently running completely stock except for a K&N 77 Series CAI. I hear alot about running lean with CAI on this site and I am concerned about the effects on my truck. I like my CAI so I want to get a custom tuned programmer from PHP to off set this...am I on the right track or am I doing something stupid?

I wont act like I am extremely knowledgeable about these topics but when I try to read up on them it seems like everyone has a different opinion.

Also, I was accelerating hard the other day and heard a pop, almost like a backfire, could this be from running lean?

The truck is a 2006 F150 5.4L 3V FX4 Crew. Only mods are Daystar 2" level and K&N 77 Series.

[Longshot270]

The custom tunes will be a good idea to account for the larger intake.

[88Racing]

With a CAI installed in conjunction with a slot style MAF=Custom tunes are a must.....

[Toigs325]

I recently became concerned. I hit the gas the other day, at around 30mph, and as it accelerated I heard a misfire. I have a 06 F150 SCrew FX4 5.4L 3V with 54K miles. I would not expect a misfire at 54K...am I correct to expect that I am running lean? How bad is this for my truck? (probably a stupid question) This misfire has happened twice...especially since the temp has dropped and the fuel switched to 89 octane winter gas

[Longshot270]

You need to drive like somebody's grandmother if you want to avoid damage. Do you still have the original stock intake? You might want to switch back to that.

Do you have any trouble codes?

[Toigs325]

No trouble codes ever. I do have the stock intake. Honestly, should I just put the stock intake back in and bring it to the shop to hook up to a meter...or should I leave the intake on and quickly order my Gryphon? The last thing I want to do is blow out a cylinder because its running lean

[Longshot270]

I would put the stock intake back on until you have custom tunes.

[Toigs325]

The popping sound has only happened twice, down the same stretch of road, 2 minutes apart. Both were right after I really whomped on it. Could it have just been bad gas (most of the fuel I use is 89 octane 10% ethanol) or am I most likely running lean? Can a local shop check to see if I am running lean?

I have the stock intake but it is 3 hours away and is a pain to reinstall...it would take me at least a month or two to get my Gryphon if I tried to order it now with the holiday.

Thanks for your help guys

[Longshot270]

It might have been bad gas, might be overly lean, there are a bunch of possibilities. I wouldn't be romping on it too much because you are for sure running leaner than you were before adding the intake, no way to avoid that on a stock vehicle. You are going to need that MAF sensor recalibrated to compensate for the larger diameter tube around it.

[Toigs325]

You are going to need that MAF sensor recalibrated to compensate for the larger diameter tube around it.

Is that what Bill does with the Gryphon or is that something I need to have done at a local shop? My buddy was going to run a meter to it and check on my fuel curves. Won a used Edge 15051 on Ebay today for $227 with shipping included...will be having that sent to PHP once I get it. I am thinking about getting the Gryphon upgrade with Performance 89 and Tow 89 tunes along with compensations for the CAI. It looks like its $25 for the firmware and case, and $60 per tune. Any idea if it is extra to have the CAI accounted for is is that part of the $60 per tune? No one is around PHP for me to ask right now

Thanks guys!!!

[Power Hungry]

Whaddaya mean there's no on around to ask? ;) You just have to ask in the right place.

To answer your question, the CAI tuning (and any other necessary tuning modification) is included as part of the $60.00 file charge.

BTW - Good deal on your used programmer. :D

Take care.

[Toigs325]

Thanks Bill!!! And Happy Holidays

I am trying to figure out why I misfired twice under WOT the a couple weeks ago...kinda scared me considering it has never happened before, I have 54K, no lights were thrown, and I have had the CAI on for about 6 months with no problems.

Should I send the Edge straight to you or can I try it in the truck without worrying about blowing something up? Maybe just increase the WOT Fuel a bit? Play with it for a couple hours and send it to you?

Excited!

[Power Hungry]

Based on the situation, I'd say that it kind of sounds like it was possibly a lean misfire. It's tough to say, though.

Get with me next week and we'll figure out what the best course of action is.

Thanks.

[Toigs325]

Bill...one more thing

The Evo I got off of Ebay only comes with the mount, cable, and programmer. It does not come with the CD or computer cable...Do I need these to upgrade to the Gryphon? Can I buy the cable and download the CD elsewhere?

[Longshot270]

I dont think the older programmers came with CDs but any programs that would have been on in could also be found on the Edge website. If you plug it into your truck and all that stuff works you probably wont need the software, especially if you are getting it upgraded soon.

To upgrade the programmer you'll have to mail it to PHP.

The cable to connect the device to the computer is just a mini usb cable that seems to come with everything these days. If you dont have one laying around you can get a cheap one at any electronics store.

[Toigs325]

Excellent. Should I run the programmer in my truck for a hundred miles or so to allow it to download files based off of my truck? Does that matter? I am new to this whole thing

[Power Hungry]

The software is available form the website under the support page and the cable is standard USB Mini-B cable, like what you'd find on a digital camera or MP3 player.

You can run the device in the truck if you like, and it would actually be helpful as it would retrieve all the files necessary for updating.

Let me know if there's anything else we can help with.

[Toigs325]

I was running lean. The shop hooked it up and checked the fuel trim/curve. The truck was adding 7% to compensate for running lean. The whole reason I got the intake was to improve my mileage and it looks like it just hurt it. I took the intake off and it doesn't misfire anymore. Just installed the Edge. My truck is now completely factory except for the edge and it runs good. Have only run the tow setting thus far and like the shifting/throttle response. Not a huge difference but it is noticeable. Not like a diesel though...obviously

[Longshot270]

That sucks but I guess not your options are either sell the K&N and do the gotts mod, then you could use one of the K&N drop in filters, or get Bill to upgrade your edge to a gryphon and write you some tunes to compensate correctly for the CAI. Did your mileage on paper change even though the engine was fueling that much more?