"Best" CAI to tune for?
 

Hey all:howdy: . Been a while. And been a while since I've done any kind of performance upgrades to my truck. And really wanting more/better performance. Just not happy with Gotts and PHP custom tune.

As some of you may recall, I originally had an S&B CAI with custom tunes. Was good but gave me problems under heavy acceleration. So Bill said S&B is one of the worst and talked me into the Gotts mod with custom tunes. Haven't been satisfied( after many tune tweaks ) since.

Bill had posted(may have been email) about the S&B and how it was bad. And mentioned others that were better/easier to tune for.

Long story short, I'm thinking about going back to a CAI system(looking at the aFe right now). Possibly doing other mods. efan, throttle body spacer, etc.. Anything "small" that will improve performance. And of coarse new tunes.

Hopefully Bill will chime in here, but what are the "best" CAI's?

Rob

FYI, I have the AFE intake (CAI). I love it and also have the Silver Bullet throttle body spacer. Although I have heard the spacers don't do much. Efans from FF Dynamics are awesome! You can get the extreme kit for $325 w/ free shipping. Much cheaper than others on the market. As for other cheap mods, not sure what you consider cheap. Exhaust? Premium fuel? Good luck and if you have any other questions, just ask.

Yeah, I already have a SI/DO magnaflow. So you like the aFe? Have any issues with the custom tunes?

Have not got my Graphon back yet. But as far as "The Mad Doctor" said, should not be an issue.

It's Gryphon

Gryphon. My spell check messed it up. LOL

Any other opinions? Not in a hurry but could one of the mods point Bill to this thread? I'd like to hear his opinion.

What would you like to know? I have "some" experience working on modifications and have gained a lot of knowledge from others on the forum. I noticed you do not have anything under your signature giving viewers details of mods you have made to your truck or what year and motor size you have. That would prove to be helpful. And I am quite sure if you wait long enough one of the other more experience moderators on this forum will help you out. As for me, I am much like you. LEARNING.....

Just more opinions and/or options I could do that would open up more power. I'll update my sig now with what I have going on now.:)

Hey Corey,

As much as I want to believe and trust Bill, I just don't feel it because I've witnessed it first hand. Truck is by no means "dead", but I just don't feel the same power/performance since Bill recommended I remove my CAI. That's why I've come to the point where I want to make changes. Do anything really, even if it only adds a small amount of HP gain. Something is better then nothing.

Whats Bill's opinion on the aFe CAI?

Look into the Banks Ram Air.

Why do you want a TBS? Does your truck have a carburated fuel delivery system?

- Jack

I've just read that it help add HP. Not much but..

There is also a placebo effect of the CAIs when they are tuned. By itself the CAI makes the truck run a little bit lean. A lean engine has a higher power output than a rich running engine. When you get a custom tune you are not compounding the power because your truck is getting the same performance tuning AND getting recalibrated for the intake. If you made 1/4 mile runs before and after I can almost guarantee the times would be very close.

And the throttle body spacer is only going to act like an intake manifold extension (and a comparatively puny one at that). You also risk having a leak at the spacer that could cause vacuum issues. Read the EPA reports on them. Even the Environmental Protection Agency says they are a dud. Spend money on the pulleys before you try the spacer.

I have heard that you can swap intake manifolds with some of the mustang 4.6s. Theirs are designed for more top end power because mustangs dont pull trailers regularly. I would even look into that before getting the spacer. If it will work find a junkyard 'stang and pull it off of that. Will probably be cheaper.

Thanks Corey. I've been looking at the AirForce 1 and it seems to have been discontinued for my year/model truck. :(

Just to throw it out there, I took out my K&N CAI and did the Gotts mod in my 08 4.6L. I took it off because I couldn't stand the drone anymore, it was driving me crazy. :cursin: I feel a much bigger difference in performance with the Gotts than I did with any of my custom tunes and K&N. I'm also getting at least .5mpg better also. I reset my Gryphon and am currently running the canned tow tune. My truck has better power now than it did with my custom 93 perf tune. :woot: Now I'm waiting for my 87 perf tune to be rewritten, time to wait again. lol The Gotts mod was the best and cheapest thing I have done to my truck. Too bad I didn't know about it before I had bought my CAI.

Yea, it's strange. Just don't get it. Mine is basically just the opposite of your experience. Less performance and worse mpg. :( With low funds, may just stick to what I have and try adding to it instead of starting over with new CAI etc.

Still researching on anything I can add to get better performance. If anybody has anymore recommendation, lemme hear em! :)

There isn't really anything that is cheap. You have improved the air coming in. You could get a high flow cat to improve the exhaust going out but I'm not sure how well it will work. I've heard that Ford put a higher flow cat in the 4.6s for our trucks and that is how they boosted the paper horsepower from the trucks before.

The old saying still holds true even for trucks, gotta pay to play. Going fast isn't cheap.

Blower.

That's the ONLY way you're going to get more power (noticeable increase). Naturally aspirated gasoline engines are what they are. They HAVE to run at a specific air fuel ratio. There is only so much fuel you can use for a given amount of air. Increase the air, you can increase the fuel. Once you increase the fuel, you get more power. Once you get more power, you get to spend more at the pump on fuel (both more of it AND more expensive higher octane fuel).

The cold hard truth is tough to swallow sometimes, but if you want more performance, you'll have to invest in a vehicle with a higher power to weight ratio. Plain and simple.

Opinions are like :evillol: , everyone has one and they all stink! I have absolutely no problem with my CAI by AFE. I love the whistle as my engine draws in power creating cold air. My exhaust tops it all off as I roar down the road. I don't doubt for a sec that the Gott's mod is great for the cost. I think there comes a point when you have to think for yourself and make the most of it. Everyone has GREAT advice but you are the one buying the products and driving the truck. Just like some guys are Ford fans others like the competition. Do whatever is going to make you happy. No offense to anyone, I only think personal choice is a big player in the game of mods. If you are going to pay for it, get what you want. Good luck! Anything that will provide more air will be good enough.

Actually you are probably running a warm air intake. If it is drawing from the engine bay without a highly effective seal I can guarantee your IAT is at least 5-10 degrees warmer than stock. :giggle: But you make a good point at the end. :beers:

It is funny that you mention the warmer air. While I admit that it is not independent testing, but Banks (link for air density and temp testing) has does a lot to show where a lot of CAI's fail in providing COLD AIR. After the reading I have done, I'm waiting for the Banks Ram Air and TorqueTubes for the 2009-2010 for my truck.

My K&N CAI was that way, IAT was at least 10 degrees warmer. It changed really frequently also. With the stock intake or Gotts mod it doesn't fluctuate much at all.

Yes but Banks also has a different design. The others are pretty much a filter on the end of a tube. I've never tried the little air dam some of them come with but if it makes even a weak seal with the hood it should help with the temps.

And I looked at their "research" and I can find holes that their marketing team made. But since they are not the only ones that fudge numbers and attempt to rewrite physics I dont rank them any higher than anyone else. Their intake does look a little bit cooler and should offer lower temps while driving.

:doh:
Open yer eyes and research before you open post and insert foot into screen.....

It's yer truck
It's yer money
Especially when the washoobi causes you to hoof it......

So what damage was actually done to the motor when you were running it without custom tunes in your ignorant bliss.....

^^ :rofl:
http://hermitswag.com/wp-content/upl.../06/ohsnap.jpg

:hehe:

Ok I'll admit it that I've been hanging around MGDfan too much.....

Why? Because this was probably the first time this forum has EVER seen the word washoobi? :hehe:

Actually that acronym was by the famous Sir Shotgunz....

Oh, I thought that was MGDfan's because that was where I first saw it used. All three of you guys can be goofy so I dont think it matters too much. :hehe:

"Goofy" is not the word for it! Possibly, "demented", or even "FUBAR", comes to mind. :hehe:

Regardless, we enjoy their antics, don't we?

- Jack

I think FUBAR fits very well. :hehe:

Thanks Jack......I appreciate the upgrade.....:evillol:

We're just a little bit more coarse on shedding the light on the real issues at hand.