Running Lean: Myth or Truth?
 

Let's settle this. I've seen so many topics on this issue with every comment and post flipping what the previous poster had said.

Is running just a CAI going to cause an all stock truck to run lean?
go!

97-03 F150 4.2 2V: NO
97-03 F150 4.6 2V: NO
97-03 F150 5.4 2V: NO
04-08 F150 4.2 ESSEX: NO
04-08 F150 4.6 2V: NO
04-08 F150 5.4 3V: YES
09-10 F150 4.6 3V: NO
09-10 F150 5.4 3V: MAYBE/NO (Haven't confirmed yet)

Comments or concerns?

I've got a concern.
I run an 07 Fx2 5.4L Screw, with a CAI for the last almost year now.(Just hit 50k) Still under 15k Miles a yr on the truck. Should I be concerned?

No tune= Yes
Custom tune= No

Search bar= Win

Haha sorry had to say it man.

Of the 04-08 year models, its the 04-05 that have the lean issue. The 06+ do not have this issue.

So I am going to go out on a limb here.. CIA = Cold Air Induction? You mean CAI yes? Does anyone here confirm without question there truck picks up a noticable increase in power over stock with CAI? I dont know is why I ask. I have never felt the need to use one, but know the theory that colder air is more dense so makes more power.. But does it make that much more power, I have never seen one really do anything that was concrete this makes a vast performance increase.. So I ask those that read here if you have one did it really make a huge improvement?

Well I used to live in the Panhandle of Texas. Up there its Hot and around 100 in the afternoon and cools into 50-60s at night. Yes cold air makes a huge difference! Had many muscle cars and would notice a huge difference when we raced them at night compared to the afternoon heat.

However, having said that. My Edge Evo shows that in the winter I am always getting the same IAT (Intake Air Temp) as outside ambient air temp, and in the summers I am never over 10 degrees from outside ambient air temp as long as I don't get stuck idling in line at a drive through sucking someone else's exhaust. So I don't think aftermarket CAI's are worth the money because stock is a CAI anyways. Plus some kits actually let in hot engine cabin air.

Correct me if I'm wrong but. As far as I know CAI help more in the higher RPM's. My truck is an 08 with AFE CAI and Dynomax 3inch from cat back. I'm running the new Diablo Trinity and the truck seems to like this mix at the higher RPM's. And the CAI intakes help with fuel consumption as well. Good if you drive it like normal but bad because most of the time you like the sound so you tend to step on it more.

A cold air intake (CAI) helps an engine breath better. Add an exhaust, and the engine will wake up, especially if complementing the two above mods with a tune. Think of the engine as a large "air pump", more air in and out, the more efficiant it is.

Be on the safe side and get a SCT X3 w/ custom tunes. Your truck will run much better as well.