[djisham]

I ordered an Edge Evolution CTS. While waiting for its arrival I read the online owners manual. I noticed a warning in the owners manual that the CTS unit is to be used only on stock motors.
I just bought a 2008 Ford F-150 4x4 witht the 4.6l motor. On Wednesday I'm installing a K&N CAI, JBA headers, and a Magnaflow exhaust.
I called Edge and one of their techs told me the CTS will not work on my vehicle with the mods I have planned. The tech referred me to PHP and the Gryphon product.
I'm trying to educate myself so I can decide what the best mod is for my situation.
Do I leave the motor stock and go with an Edge CTS? Do I return the CTS and continue with my plans for the CAI, headers, and exhaust?
I'm not sure I understand the customization possibilities of the Gryphon CTS.
Can it be customized to integrate with my CAI, headers, and exhaust?
Is it possible to have the best of both worlds; the programmer and the bolt on mods?

Thanks in advance for your answers and opinions.

David Isham

[shotgun]

Originally Posted by djisham

I ordered an Edge Evolution CTS. While waiting for its arrival I read the online owners manual. I noticed a warning in the owners manual that the CTS unit is to be used only on stock motors.
I just bought a 2008 Ford F-150 4x4 witht the 4.6l motor. On Wednesday I'm installing a K&N CAI, JBA headers, and a Magnaflow exhaust.
I called Edge and one of their techs told me the CTS will not work on my vehicle with the mods I have planned. The tech referred me to PHP and the Gryphon product.
I'm trying to educate myself so I can decide what the best mod is for my situation.
Do I leave the motor stock and go with an Edge CTS? Do I return the CTS and continue with my plans for the CAI, headers, and exhaust?
I'm not sure I understand the customization possibilities of the Gryphon CTS.
Can it be customized to integrate with my CAI, headers, and exhaust?
Is it possible to have the best of both worlds; the programmer and the bolt on mods?

Thanks in advance for your answers and opinions.

David Isham

Absolutely.

PHP can write custom tunes that will not only account for your specific modifications, but also account for your specific objectives (pure performance, fuel economy, better towing, altitude, preferred octane, etc.).

Of course, you can also order your CTS with custom tunes directly from PHP.

And congratulations for having the foresight to read the manual and understand the Edge is for stock vehicles. You're one of the few that 1) read the manual and 2) believe the phrase "for stock vehicles".

[djisham]

Shotgun,
Thanks for your reply.
I'm a little confused. I spoke with Corey at PHP today. She told me that the stock Edge CTS should work on my truck if I installed my mods with the following exceptions. Don't install the CAI. She suggested the Gotto Mod. Second, if I install the headers they need to be short tube. (Mine are) and finally my Magnaflow exhaust shouldn't affect it. The Edge tech support rep told me he couldn't guarantee performance based on that recommendation.
Should I bag the CAI, install the Gotto mod, the headers, and the exhaust and see what happens? I don't want to damage my motor. The Edge support tech guy made it sound like I couldn't damage the motor because of a fail safe mode built into the CTS.
I guess if it runs it runs and if it doesn't I unplug it and ask PHP to build the custom tunes for it.
I looked at the custom tune order form online.
How do I know what I need to make the CTS functional in my truck with my Mods? Does Bill just figure out what I need based on my answers to the questions on the order form or am I supposed to know what I need?

Sorry this is so long winded but I'm trying to educate myself so I can make good decisions before I pass the point of no return on parts purchases and install fees.

Thanks!

[shotgun]

Originally Posted by djisham

Shotgun,
Thanks for your reply.

You're welcome! You did the right thing by calling PHP.

I'm not trying to usurp their technical knowledge or advice, just trying to provide my personal opinion and advice on simple techincal questions.

Originally Posted by djisham

I'm a little confused. I spoke with Corey at PHP today. She told me that the stock Edge CTS should work on my truck if I installed my mods with the following exceptions. Don't install the CAI. She suggested the Gotto Mod.

The Gotts mod does not alter the geometry around the MAF. This means the MAF (and the PCM) can accurately measure the air flow. Most after market intakes change the geometry and thus the PCM cannot account for the added air (cause the MAF is reporting a lower value). This can lead to a lean condition (too much air, not enough fuel). This can lead to burned valves and pistons.

IMHO, A/M intakes are a waste of money. Corey is suggesting the Gotts mod because 1) it's cheap and 2) it will provide all the air your engine needs except at extremely high RPMs (4000+). Even if your're looking for performance, how often are you at 4000+ RPMs and for how long?

Here's a link to the mod: The kd4crs/Power Hungry/Gotts Mod (revisited - and with pictures)

Remember, these are not diesels! Two Morons in a Garage does a great job pushing their advertiser's products, even when they don't fit.

Originally Posted by djisham

Second, if I install the headers they need to be short tube. (Mine are) and finally my Magnaflow exhaust shouldn't affect it. The Edge tech support rep told me he couldn't guarantee performance based on that recommendation.Thanks!

I wasn't aware your headers are short tube. Corey (as usual) gave you excellent advice. She's also right about the exhaust. I'm sure the Edge tech was simply covering his butt (hell, he might not have even known better).

In other words, you could do the Gotts mod, short tube headers, and the exhaust and use the canned Edge tunes.

Or you could get the most out of your engine (safely and reliably) and get custom tunes.

Or you could add the A/M intake (they do look impressive, after all), headers, and exhaust and have PHP write custom tunes.

If you take the time to complete the order form, paying particular attention to what you are looking for and how you use the truck, Bill can easily write tunes. Obviously you also have to properly complete the truck's technical specs too (rear end gear, tire size, modifications such as Gotts mod, exhaust, headers), but the beauty of custom tunes is they are matched to what you want from the truck. If the truck is stock (such as cams, injectors, etc.), leave the spot on the form blank.

I hope I answered all your questions, but if I didn't, post up!

[djisham]

Shotgun,
Thanks for providing clarity for my situation. I want to make sure I'm interpreting one of your acronyms correctly. Does A/M stand for after market?if I understood Corey correctly she told me that if you have the CTS the CAI is basically a $350 paperweight as far as effectiveness goes. She told me that I will get all the performance increase I can from the CTS and that the CAI wouldn't add anything to my performance. Did I understand her correctly?

Thanks

David

[shotgun]

Originally Posted by djisham

Shotgun,
Thanks for providing clarity for my situation. I want to make sure I'm interpreting one of your acronyms correctly. Does A/M stand for after market?if I understood Corey correctly she told me that if you have the CTS the CAI is basically a $350 paperweight as far as effectiveness goes. She told me that I will get all the performance increase I can from the CTS and that the CAI wouldn't add anything to my performance. Did I understand her correctly?

Thanks

David

Yes A/M means after market. Sorry about that.

And yes, I agree with Cory. The Gotts mod is just as effective as an A/M intake when coupled with a tuner and custom tunes.

[88Racing]

The 4.6L 2V air intake mod.
Do It Yourself Intake Modification for 1997-2003 F-150 - F150online Forums

Note.
This for 97-03 4.6L 2V+5.4L 2V but will also work on your 2008.

Also note......
The 2008 4.6L 2V does not have the slot style MAF like the 2004+ 5.4L 3V.