Augy88066

Hello all,

I just purchased newer 2012 Ford F150 5.0 and have been considering doing the following:
1. Changing out my stock front shocks for Bilstein 5100's
2. Adding an AFE Stage 2 CAI (without a tune for now)

What are your thoughts on the above to upgrades? Will either of them truly add any benefit to my ride or provide a slight improvement in power (I am not even trying to get better MPG, I know it is next to impossible with the 5.0). Lastly, will adding a CAI reduce the longevity of my 5.0's engine life?

Let me know your thoughts, thanks!

Sweatmachine

Forget about the cold air intake and get a custom tune! You don't need an aftermarket intake!

gDMJoe

OEM, stock .....

• already CAI.
  .
• CFM exceeds engine requirements/needs. *UNLESS über engine modifications are done.
  .
• any increase in air flow comes at the expense of filtration.
  .
• no contaminating the MAF sensor with oil. *Which reduces performance and MPG.
  .
• Motorcraft, OEM air filters ...
  • meets|exceeds engine air intake CFM requirements.
  • good for 30,000+ miles (depending upon conditions).
  • ABSOLUTELY NO possibility of MAF sensor oil contamination.
  • dispose and replace maintenance.
  .
• there are NO performance and/or MPG gains with aftermarket air intake systems. *If you're looking for performance and/or possible MPG gains, put your $$$$$ towards a tuner+tune(s).

Otherwise - Get an aftermarket air intake ...

• for the engine bay cosmetics.
  .
• for the increase in growl.

Do it for any other reason and you're wasting your $$$$$
.

2003XLT

Hey! Me too!! Just picked mine up today I'll be subscribing and seeing if anyone gives you good ideas I can steal!! 😎😎

Augy88066

Thanks for the quick response guys! I will hold off on purchasing a CAI and will look to get a tune.

So question - is it worth picking up Bilstein shocks to replace the front OEM shocks on the vehicle? I have heard from multiple folks that the bilstein upgrade is their favorite but I have not been given any hard facts on if its worth it.

Augy88066

Congrats! So far this is my favorite truck.. I love the 5.0 over the EcoBoost.

2003XLT

I drove the Eco it was nice but I loved the 5.0 and from what I've heard ford has had a lot of problems with the turbos on those Eco boosts but I'm not trying to stir up an argument either way any version of these trucks are pretty bitchen

saserby

I just bought a 2012 5.0 in April. I've been stalking this board for months making my plans. I can tell you what I'm looking at.

First, my truck is at the shop as I type this. By tomorrow afternoon it will have a 2.5" level kit and 3" rear block and new Nitto Terra Grapplers. That was my first priority.

PTM grill surround is on my list along with door handles. I haven't figured out a plan for the door handles yet.

Gotta paint the trim around my tail lights. That white looks like hell. I'll have extra paint from the grill mod.

A tuner is also on the list. Hopefully by Christmas. BTW if your interested in better performance, it seems pretty universally agreed that you can't spend money any better than by getting a custom tune.

Look into the door detent mod. I'll likely be doing that at some time. The stock detent is driving me nuts.

Just a few ideas that I've already narrowed down. Good luck! I'm just a few months ahead of you.

alpinestar1123

I did led mods mods made my own raptor grille lights, led switchbacks and led h13s, just split my factory headlights and sprayed them cuz aftermarket are cheap and star to yellow. raptor third brake light, fox 2.0 coilovers and fox rear shocks. Removed the muffler the left the resonator and threw a tune along with a aeroforce gauge. It's a 6.2L and she scoots

suicideking

Do you have a link to the Bilstein upgrade you're talking about?