I have been reading on here about how the 5.4l engines can run lean when you add a CAI and exhaust system. I've heard you can get a programmer to help fix the running lean issue. I want to know if it's better to buy the programmer first or the CAI and exhaust first? Damaging my engine scares the hell out of my. I do want more performance and better MPG though. Let me know your own experiences and if you would do it differently

 

Same time?

I would buy the programmer first, that way when you put the other parts on, you can immediately tune it.

No sense in running lean for a while before buying the programmer.

 

I only have a CAI and exhaust and my 5.4 runs perfect! Not really much for performance though I just wanted it to sound good. I'll probably get a programmer here pretty soon though.

 

If you have them all planned on what you want to do, here is the order I would do them in.
1. Custom programmer-order the programmer and run the stock tune while it's still stock
2. Exhaust- unless you do headers or mess with the cats you don't need to custom tune for exhaust.
3. CAI- if you don't like the Gott's mod, get the CAI and wait to install it until you have custom tunes for it.

 

Sounds like I'll go with the programmer first. Thanks for all of your input. For example take the edge programmer, can I manually input the additional upgrades as I go along to adjust the a/f mixture if that's what it needs?

 

I want to know this as well!

 

No you need a Gryphon to be able to custom tune and the user isn't able to do so even with a custom device. There's more to adding an intake and other mods than the a/f trims that have to be accounted for.

 

Mine only runs lean in the winter. Summer it's all good. But I'm bout to get a tuner.

 

Thanks for the info

 

If you have an 07+ you don't need to worry about running lean with a cai. I would still vote the programmer first, best bang for the buck in my opinion.