VoiceOfReason

CAI's can and DO cause some engines to lean out to the point where they start to ping, it's almost guaranteed on regular fuels. The old idea of installing a CAI/short ram to improve fuel economy was basically an easy and safe way to change the A/F ratio but modern engines are designed to run already slightly lean. Installing intakes on newer cars now is pretty much only going to improve throttle response, sound louder/throatier (I miss my Mazdas) and depending on driving habits, will probably end up decreasing fuel economy rather than increasing it.

They sound nice.

Your problem is probably like white08gt said, you may have a poor fitting coupler or clamp somewhere, a pinhole leak, loose sensor fitting, etc. and are getting a small amount of unmetered air (although you will usually have erratic throttle response and hesitations with this instead of just pinging.)

Did you reset the computer and relearn the fuel trims after installing the intake?

If you have full power or more and the pinging sound is very light it usually is not a problem and will not be detrimental to the engine. It could be that you have just removed the resonance piping from the intake so you are hearing "directly into the engine." Mid-grade should reduce or stop it.

Fast. Cheap. Reliable. You can choose only two.

VoiceOfReason

There is much debate on whether oiled filters affect mass airflow sensors and their filtration properties are often scrutinized.

Pioneer58

Now thinking about a CAI, technically they shouldn't lean a vehicle out any more than it would normally as the air should all still be running past the maf sensor. And thus the PCM will adjust for it, unless you have an air leak after the maf. But hey that's just me

Pioneer58

Also forgot to say, only time oiled air filters affect sensors is if there over saturated with oil. The engine will suck the excess oil trough the filter contaminating the maf

BuckeyeDemon

i agree. especially when the vehicle uses oxygen sensors as another input for controlling fuel flow (and the engine contains knock sensors to back off timing). maybe someone can clarify how mods to the runner can lean out an engine to knock (assuming nothing is broken).

roconnor2012

If the filter is heavily saturated, how can I get the residue off so I can use the filter?

Pioneer58

You can try to let it dry before installing it or try to shake the rest out. If your maf gets it on you'll need an actual sensor/maf cleaner so it doesn't leave a residue on the heating elements

white08gt

I own a 2008 mustang gt, they sell CAI for our cars with and without a tune. without tuning your gains are minimal and even the ones that say they need no tune usually end up bringing in a check engine light and lean code. the MAF reads air flow before TB and needs tuning for increased volume with the normally bigger air tube. the new 5.0 has same type computer that reads fuel trim levels and drive by wire. the MAF is sensitive to changes, get a sct tuner or diablo and get a custom tune. this is what the mustang crowd does to add 15-25hp with a CAI and a tune. I recall seeing shops that specialize in tuning the F150 5.0, the canned tunes that come stock on the tuners leave a lot of hp on the table. with a tune they can adjust and firm shift points on tranny and take the lag out of the accel. pedal, adjust for larger tires to correct speedo.

isthatahemi

You are correct. The other posters that state that a tune is required is incorrect. A tune will add power, but it will add power stock as well. The fact that a tune compliments a CAI is not indicative of the CAI not being effective.

Well, a 2008 mustang GT does not run nearly as sophisticated an engine as the 3.7. Hence the 3.7 makes comparable power. The 3.7 will adjust sufficiently to add power within the safety margin of the stock tune. The mustang 3.7, which is as apt comparison unlike the OLD 2008 4.6L, makes decent gains (somewhere around 12-15 flywheel hp without a tune. One can assume that the F150, with it's more restrictive airbox would make that much extra at a minimum.

That being said, mine has sounded like it knocks at low rpm since I added the CAI. It coincided with the torque increase. 50 000kms later, it still does it. Never got worse or better, PCM reset or otherwise.

I have a Rousch CAI, which is practically endorsed by Ford. Good gains, sounds wicked, and my local dealer sells them.

It's time for some folks to "get with the times". The 3.7 is not same as the old dinosaur that many cite as a comparison!

bubbabud

If its a ping [spark knock] your running lean but if its a mechanical knock you might have sucked a small part [nut/bolt] into the engine while it was open. Put the old system back and see if it corrects it