Modifying the Airaid CAI Intake Tube

[CrownOffroad]

I recently installed the Airaid CAI on my 6.2L and while it sounds a little bit better, I'm not entirely convinced it's providing any power or MPG gains. I ran across this article in Truckin Magazine about cutting out the inner portion of the intake tube:

2011 Ford Raptor - Performance Bolt-ons - Truckin' Magazine

I really want to give this a try but I don't have a tuner yet. The article sounds like it's practically mandatory to use a tuner if you are going to modify the intake. Has anyone done this modification with or without a tune? Better? Worse? Same? Ready for a beer yet...?

 

[mad man]

mad man

i used a special tune from 5 star , works well bottom to mid range , seems like it needs more fuel delevery on top . so still a work in progress . right now i think all the cold air intakes are a waste of money.

 

[mkelly984]

I did it on mine without a tune and every 2 to 3 weeks it would throw a code and turn on the check engine light. Glued it back in and haven't had any issues.

 

[pat247]

I have one just like the one pictured, it was modified by Livernois, the opening was changed from 3 1/2" to 4". My tuner is also from Livernois, the MyCalibr8or by AIW. When I installed the Airaid CAI I had a 91 performance tune on and almost immediately got a check engine light. Called Livernois, explained what had happened and they wrote a new tune for me to download. I've had the new tune for over a month now and have not had a MIL since getting the new tune. My Raptor pulls strong through the gears all the way to redline, very happy with this setup.

 

[c5racr1]

I did it, and even with a tune 5 star it would have a flat spot off idle glued it back in.

 

[2004boss]

Mine has it from livernois. Idk if it has anything to do with it but my filter fell off tiwce at the sand dunes and once at the glre time attack

 

[cups]

This mod is to facilitate hi air flow you would need when running WOT (frequently). For a DD or weekend warrior, it not only not needed, but detrimental to the MAF reading at normal to lo air flows. This may destroy your mpg.
The AirRaid as is comes is more than sufficient in reducing dp n the intake circuit.

6.2 - Power To Do More

 

[Ruger]

Before I bought my AIRAID CAI I talked to an AIRAID engineer over the phone. They design their systems on a flow bench with the factory system available as a control. Taking an X-Acto knife or Dremel to the unit is about as smart and scientific as using the rhythm method for birth control.

 

[cups]

Hey so did I.


6.2 - Power To Do More

 

[pat247]

Update: I thought it best to give an update on the Livernois/Airaid modified intake system with tune from Livernois. I have run this CAI for nearly three months now and since getting the tune from Livernois I have zero issues with how the truck drives. This truck is my DD so it see a good amount of stop-n-go traffic and I have taken it on a highway trip of 600 miles. MPGs have remained very similar to what it was getting when stock, 11-16 mpg average per tank.

Since there have been several negative posts about this modification I can only surmise that maybe this mod should be done by a professional speed shop with a proven track record and dyno numbers to show the results.

Airaid CAIs use a very large filter and are notorious for dismounting during harsh driving conditions offroad and this is even more likely with this mod as the collar has been weakened. However there is a simple solution for this by using something to wedge the far end of the filter to keep it from bouncing.