mod help please

[Hockster]

The question this brings to my mind then is this; What would you suggest? I ask this as someone who's waiting for my truck and just planning. I'm also coming from no previous knowledge other than a clear understanding of how the CAI works.

I've not seen any systems that really isolate the engine compartment though I can honestly say I've not seen all the available options.

I'd love to have some input from you more experienced motor heads as to which intake provides the best solution.

Thanks,

~BGM

Before we had computer controlled spark and ignition systems you opened the air system and you only had to deal with the hot less dense air and some spark knock. With computer controlled systems you are dealing a system that is constantly changing in order to keep the engine running at its best... The CAI systems out there that I see are going to help you when you get rolling down the road and clear out the hot under hood air and get to a consistent air temp. As soon as soon as you get into city traffic your performance and mileage will go down drawing hot under hood air until you get back up to a speed that clears out the hot air... If you are using this truck as your daily driver its not going to help you a lot until you get on the highway and get the hot air out.

What I did on mine is ran a tube from the stock filter box up to the SVT vent and I am drawing from there. I think one of the other tech's here did something close to the same as he ran a tube from the stock filter box out to the front of his truck and is drawing air from there. I changed my intake system at 6k miles, added the full exhaust at 13k miles and added the tuner at 36k miles I have 41k on the truck now and am extremely happy with the way it feels. I do not have a dyno around here where I live so I have no pulls to show any gains. I will get some dyno runs as soon as I can to see what I have...

In my opinion if you are using the truck for a daily driver and its 50% or more city traffic I would not use a aftermarket CAI.
If you are using the truck less than 30% in city traffic I would say go ahead and run a aftermarket CAI since once you are running down the road the underhood air temps become stable...

My background with calibration systems. I was a powertrain calibration engineering technologist at Ford for 6 years. I built, tested and made calibration changes on the 3.0L Escape/Tribute from 1997-2003...

You will get the most performance gains with a full exhaust w/long tube headers high flow cats and a tuner... and really with 2 valve engines even shorty headers will give you great gains. The 5.4L 3 valve engines flow quite good and need the long tube headers for the best gains. Oh and I have the 5.4L in my truck.

 

[SOCOMech]

I think one of the other tech's here did something close to the same as he ran a tube from the stock filter box out to the front of his truck and is drawing air from there.

That's my custom redneck ram-air sirrrrrr!

OP, the Airraid and AFE intakes replace the stock airbox lid while still utilizing the bottom portion and the stock air draw location from the fender. You can get the AFE from 5 Star and Mike also makes a lid for it turning it into a true CAI that is sealed and drawing air from the fender.

 

[Socalbeachbum]

Does the volant intake do similar? So if I'm doing city driving I should stick to stock?

 

[Big Green Machine]

Before we had computer controlled spark and ignition systems you opened the air system and you only had to deal with the hot less dense air and some spark knock. With computer controlled systems you are dealing a system that is constantly changing in order to keep the engine running at its best... The CAI systems out there that I see are going to help you when you get rolling down the road and clear out the hot under hood air and get to a consistent air temp. As soon as soon as you get into city traffic your performance and mileage will go down drawing hot under hood air until you get back up to a speed that clears out the hot air... If you are using this truck as your daily driver its not going to help you a lot until you get on the highway and get the hot air out.

What I did on mine is ran a tube from the stock filter box up to the SVT vent and I am drawing from there. I think one of the other tech's here did something close to the same as he ran a tube from the stock filter box out to the front of his truck and is drawing air from there. I changed my intake system at 6k miles, added the full exhaust at 13k miles and added the tuner at 36k miles I have 41k on the truck now and am extremely happy with the way it feels. I do not have a dyno around here where I live so I have no pulls to show any gains. I will get some dyno runs as soon as I can to see what I have...

In my opinion if you are using the truck for a daily driver and its 50% or more city traffic I would not use a aftermarket CAI.
If you are using the truck less than 30% in city traffic I would say go ahead and run a aftermarket CAI since once you are running down the road the underhood air temps become stable...

My background with calibration systems. I was a powertrain calibration engineering technologist at Ford for 6 years. I built, tested and made calibration changes on the 3.0L Escape/Tribute from 1997-2003...

You will get the most performance gains with a full exhaust w/long tube headers high flow cats and a tuner... and really with 2 valve engines even shorty headers will give you great gains. The 5.4L 3 valve engines flow quite good and need the long tube headers for the best gains. Oh and I have the 5.4L in my truck.

I meant to tell you yesterday, thank you for taking the time to write this most excellent and informative response!

~BGM

 

[SOCOMech]

Does the volant intake do similar? So if I'm doing city driving I should stick to stock?

The Volant replaces the entire stock air box and even the coolant bottle.....but it's also open across the bottom and while it may not be sucking in hot engine bay air, I'd be concerened about water ingestion.