Hello,

I'm planning on getting a K&N CAI for my 06 5.4. But after searching the forum, many people says that it's a waste of money if you don't get a tuner to go with it.....is this true?

So this question is for anyone WITH a K&N CAI and "WITHOUT" a tuner, is it worth it? Please let me know, thanks!

 

Well... I can tell you that you will notice a small difference in fuel economy and throttle response. Your "butt dyno" will register more than a real life dyno. You will get a large difference in sound. Now... you should do a tuner with the intake as well as exhaust since that combo REALLY wakes these trucks up but its not by any means required to see gains. Spend your money the way you want.

I can't remember the thread, but SinCityFX4 posted dyno results after each of the three listed mods with his 2006(?) 5.4L FX4. Prior to any mods, he made around 201-204whp. After intake/tuner/exhaust, he made 240-242whp. Significant difference.

 

There have been some who says that K&N filters can cause your vehicle to run lean since it lets in more air.

I dont know whether that is true or not.

 

I have a flowmaster muffler, just don't know if I want to spend the extra money on a tuner too.

I'll do more research on this, thanks guys!

 

if you do a cai with no tuner to add more fuel, you can run lean which will lead to check engine lights, ect. if you plan on getting a tuner, then get one, if not save the money and do the dvw intake mod and a drop in K&N

 

I have a AFE cold air, dual Borla exhaust and NO PROGRAMER. Truck runs fine, no/never ever had check engine light. In fact, my truck is rather quiet inside and pretty mellow outside. I hardly notice much noise even when I really step on it.

 

Just because there isn't a CEL, doesn't mean it isn't lean. It just means it isn't lean enough to trigger it. Even a little lean will burn valves.

My question is why do you want a warm air intake anyways? You can get a CAI with just a modification of the stock intake and flow more than enough air for the engine. Plus you don't have to worry about the oiled filter gumming up the MAF, throttle body, etc. If you're stuck on getting a WAI you're still not getting your money's worth because without a tune you won't ever reach it's full potential.

 

From what I have read the whole shabang is where you will tell the difference me personally am strapped for cash and will only be doing one mod at a time and i went with the GOTTS mod on my 06' 4.6 this decision was based off of most people not being able to tell a difference except for in there pockets

 

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