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]

Originally Posted by Longshot270

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!!!