Just ordered some upgrades, what should I expect?
 

I just ordered the 3" monster exhaust from banks, the edge evolution programmer, and I did the Gotts mod with a k&N. I have 10ply 265/75/17 tires and a pretty light foot. What should I expect for fuel economy/hp gain? Also would getting new spark plugs make that big of a difference? Not sure I wanna pay $400 just for new spark plugs to be done.

In the case of exhaust, bigger is not better. a 3" exhaust is overkill for a 4.2, 4.6, or 5.4 setup. Engines do like a certain amount of backpressure; it helps scavenge the exhaust from an apposing cylinder. Sounds like that exhaust size was designed for a diesel.

The programmer/tuner is going to be the best bang for the buck out of the three you ordered.

You can expect a dirty MAF out of the K&N.

Truth ^^^^^^^, go with an intake kit. You'll be glad you did. And in MHO, the most you should go with exhaust pipe diameter is 2.5", like everyone has said, you will lose back pressure. When I first installed my magnaflow SIDO side dump, I didn't have a programmer or an intake, and when I put it to the wood, the truck would sometimes struggle and choke out because it wasn't getting the correct amount of air. The intake and programmer helped balance my system, and when you do get the edge, download the GRYPHON update, you'll be glad you did.

I have all three of the upgrades you just ordered. I agree with Bucko that the edge programmer is gonna give you the best bump in power. The gotts mod is a smart way to go instead of dropping $300 + on an intake. My IAT's never go over 5 degress ambient, so I'm satisfied. The banks exhaust gives off a nice grumble at startup and when you get on it. Very low noise in the cabin, so its perfect in my book. Overall for any vehicle the part of the exhaust that runs past the cats is really never going to bump up power. Only time it will is in high HP cars/trucks running superchargers/turbo's. My .02

Not trying to start an argument here...but I only paid $150 for my K&N intake kit. And I believe it came with paperwork stating it does not void your warranty. I've heard of people being turned away when mechanics find a piece of PVC crammed into intake snorkel. Just my $0.02, gotts mod is def the way to go if you don't want to spend the money, but I have more piece of mind with my K&N, plus it looks bada**. :thumbsup:

All good man, no argument here! The gotts mod vs CAI discussion is probably the most talked about out of anything on this forum. I dont think there is anything wrong with a CAI, I'm just not convinced it gives enough added benefits for the cost. You got a good deal on yours b/c most of them run in the $250-$350 range. They definitley look better in the engine bay and give a added intake noise. They just dont give the benefits like they would in a car/truck with a turbo. In those applications you'll easily see an added 15-20hp with significantly lower IATS......

I must have gotten a steal on mine. I bought it back in 2012 when I was in college. I ordered it from autoanything.com and it was like $149.99 with free shipping and a free recharge kit! I just went back to autoanything and now they are charging $275.00 for the SAME KIT! Was still checking prices and noticed something else.....I also only paid around $850.00 for a whole set of Fierce Attitude Tires (285-70-17) with valvestems from discount tire direct. Now they want between $1000-$1100 for a full set! Inflation is a bi**h. Sorry for the off topic post but I'm amazed...

Gotts mod good...k&n...bad. When you get the evolution, dont even bother updating the canned edge tunes, youll be dissapointed, put the gryphon tune from php on it. Look up one of the many threads onit. Those exhaust systems sound mean! Have fun

The issue with a K&N filter is not when they come from the factory, but when it comes time to clean and be re-oiled. Most owners don't follow directions very well, and over oil the filter, which can get on the MAF sensor. This unfortunately gives the K&N a bad rap.

I have one on my Harley, and it's been cleaned and re-oiled over 20 times; its about 10 years old now, and never let me down or caused any ill effects. I also had one (drop in filter) on a 4.2 equipped F150 for over 5 years, and have one on my current 2007 4.6 F150 (drop in filter). And no problems with any of them; both were 'freebies" from a local vender in the central Florida area.

As to power gains, I'll agree with many that the "hipe" the vendors try to convince us with are very stretched. And any CAI that does not completely seal itself from the engine compartment is going to be worse then the factory setup; at least the factory system draws cooler aire from the fender inlet routed to the front.

Its very hard to beat a factory intake system these days.