I'm getting ready to put a new intake on my '04 F-150 which has the 5.4 V8, but I want to get the right one. I have read that the K&N 77 series is suppose to add 18 hp at the wheels with my setup, but is it the best? Would I be better with the AEM? Oil free does sound nice! But I hardly ever drive off-road with this truck so oil and dirt issue won't play a big factor. Does anyone know which will get me the most power and the least hassle??

 

They are all about the same. Truth is that you would never be able to tell the difference from one to the other. You will find people here that think each of those is better than the other. Search. Read. Choose one.

 

Well said.

 

Kind of like exhausts I am just wondering on the whole oil free deal. Is it really a big deal for most???

 

I've done a lot of reading on the various brands and have seeing stuff all over the board. K&N claims that their 77 series will add 18 hp at the wheels for the 5.4 Triton. That’s pretty big! Should I expect all the rest to do the same?

 

Pretty much, look at them all and choose which one you personally like. I choose the Volant because it's a closed design with the box the filter sits in. For the most part there all going to give you some horsepower gains and change the sound of the engine.

 

On the K&N site, I see 9.53 HP on the 77 series and 15.47 HP on the 57 series...

Go to
http://www.knfilters.com/

On top left, select "Find Products for Your Vehicle".

Then put in year, make, model, and engine size...

 

If you ever have the chance to look at Four Wheeler Mag. Find the Oct. 05 issue and turn to page 93..... 18 HP at the wheels in a 2004 5.4L F-150 GUARANTEED if you use the 77-2556kp

 

I went with the AEM because of the oil free. But any one would give you what you are looking for though.

 

I just installed a Polished aluminum K&N 77 series CAI kit and love it. I have a '06 Screw and sounds nice. I don't know about the Horse power gained, but I really do like the throttle repsonse now. Also, it looks awesome when you open that hood!!

 

Plastic tubes allow less heat in and thus gain more power. I dont buy the 18 hp at the wheels, thats a hell of a lot. But personally I like the volant. It is not wide open to the water, looks excellent, and gets more cold air.

 

I went with the AEM brute force also, as I was never comfortable with the oiled filters, 1500 miles not a problem, but its all in what you like.

My second choice would be the AF1.

 

I like the AF1

 

One thing that you need to be concerned with that noone has pointed out yet is making sure that the intake does not lean you out. Some intakes are not designed properly and a lean condition will occur causing engine damage. The first generation Volant intakes were known to do this and the AEM intake has been tested to lean out the Air/Fuel mixture. After doing some research on this site via the search button I came to the conclusion that the K&N and the Air Force 1 are the only two intakes that will not mess with the air/fuel mix. I decided to go with the Air Force 1 thru Troyer Performance after talking to them and be assured that there is no way I would have an leaning out issues with the 3" Air Force 1. So far, so good. The intake sounds awesome but thats about it. I think coupled with my Superchips 1714 tuner and Borla exhaust I get the most I can out of it. For the 300 bucks it is money well spent.

 

What about the new Fram Boost? I'd like to improve performance but I don't want to go with an oiled filter.