I wanted to know which would be a better buy a cold air intake or a K&N filter for my truck. I know the drop in filter is much cheaper but down the long road what would be better? Also any other really good brands for a ford that is not over $300?

 

What year truck do you have ?? the reason I ask is because 04/05 came from the factory running lean...and installing a CAI without a proper tune could cause problems...

 

x2

Only thing I would do with the 04-05 trucks is Drop in a good filter (I have the KN Drop in) with the GOTTS mod or I have seriously been thinking about the Airaid Intake Tube

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...ir-Intake-Tube

 

Mine is a 04 FX4. Damn good info I did not know!

 

I just picked up an AEM dryflow drop in. I just installed it this weekend so too soon to tell any difference but it seems like good quality. Id stay away from anything you have to oil like a K&N drop in and look for some dryflow filter if you want to go the reusable filter route.

 

I want the horsepower and good fuel economy route.

 

You have an 04 so if you want cold air intake you'll need a custom tune so the truck wont run to lean. If your planning on doing other stuff like exhaust you should do everything together including the custom tune, edge evo (not the cs or cts models) or sct tunes are the way to go.

 

If you buy a full CAI you will most likely be getting a kit that deletes the intake nodules, those big canister looking things in the tube, and those are specifically engineered to eliminate the stock drone the engine/exhaust produces. If you don't care if your truck has a drone at certain Rpm levels, go with a cai, otherwise stick to a good drop in filter. You're really not getting incredible horsepower gains with just a new cai and exhaust, trust me I tried! But hey, who doesn't want a nice sounding truck though! You decide.

 

So if i go the drop in route which brand is the way to go?

 

Stock Motorcraft