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Cold air intake or no?

Discussion in 'Performance and Tuning' started by Travis, Mar 20, 2016.

  1. Mar 20, 2016 at 9:35 AM
    #1
    Travis

    Travis [OP] New Member

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    I've been contemplating installing a K&N cold air intake in my 2014 SR5 but I keep hearing and seeing negative comments about it. Does anyone here have one in there truck? Pro's? Con's?
     
  2. Mar 20, 2016 at 10:48 AM
    #2
    AMRE2ME2

    AMRE2ME2 New Member

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    Your truck already has a CAI. Just do a search about CAI and you can read all you want about it. Just ask yourself why the manufactures of the CAI products won't/don't post up dyno results.
     
  3. Mar 20, 2016 at 11:09 AM
    #3
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    This.
     
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  4. Mar 20, 2016 at 12:43 PM
    #4
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    No
     
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  5. Mar 20, 2016 at 1:10 PM
    #5
    watsonc3

    watsonc3 New Member

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    I researched the same things, and I can't find any justifiable reason to spend money on any of the aftermarket CAI's. The way the stock one is made, if you put a higher flow filter in the stock box you basically have an aftermarket CAI. I thought about buying that AFE stage 2 one that is $425 but there was another member that posted that it had caused a CEL to come on. Definitely doesn't seem worth it.
     
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  6. Mar 20, 2016 at 2:23 PM
    #6
    tat2ude39

    tat2ude39 MYota

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    What's the best high flow filter for our stock Tundra intake boxes?
     
  7. Mar 20, 2016 at 2:53 PM
    #7
    Travis

    Travis [OP] New Member

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    Perfect. Thanks for the info, i'll probably just leave it as is then or go with the high flow filter
     
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  8. Mar 20, 2016 at 3:42 PM
    #8
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    Even the filter being changed messes with the truck. The computer will eventually adjust to compensate for the higher flow, but you will lose low end tq unless you use the stock paper filter. The best setup is literally the one that comes with the truck.
     
  9. Mar 20, 2016 at 4:39 PM
    #9
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I you decide to go that route, go for the best filtration, not HP gains, which only occur at high RPMs. S&B has the best filtration #'s per CPM for aftermarket CAI's. As far as loss of low end torque....not much at all at the end of the day. 4.3:1 rear gear + option of "manual" shifting pretty much eliminates any small torque loss at low RPMs.
     
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  10. Apr 12, 2016 at 9:44 PM
    #10
    freerider8

    freerider8 Trucks Rule

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    I just installed a K&N filter on my truck. I have always used K&N filters and like the long life they provide along with more air flow. I have thought about the CAI as well but cannot justify the cost over the benefits. Plus I am sure the engineers at Toyota have put together a package for these trucks that works well on it's own. Of course they have emission standards they have to comply with so there's that but I am sure they do everything they can so the trucks run well. It all comes down to personal preference after that.
     
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  11. Apr 24, 2016 at 8:14 AM
    #11
    CBums

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    I'm probably :deadhorse: on this but, doesn't a CAI benefit better with other aftermarket parts? ie; exhaust, chip, etc. ... Usually when a CAI is installed on any vehicle by itself its not much of a gain. Getting 5-10hp seems normal if you don't have any other bolt on mods. Now I haven't messed with mods on a vehicle in quite some time and I have a feeling I will be getting back into it with my truck and I would love to help put this case to rest. Hopefully I will have a more justifiable outcome in the near future. Time to do some research boys and girls! :headbang:
     
  12. Apr 24, 2016 at 8:32 AM
    #12
    TruckyTruck

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    Yeah if I was going to buy a different one, it would be the s&b or the trd CAI. Probably the s&b with a dry filter.
     
  13. Apr 24, 2016 at 5:21 PM
    #13
    Black Wolf

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    Agree^^^ but go with wet not dry. IMHO
     
  14. Apr 24, 2016 at 5:30 PM
    #14
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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  15. Apr 24, 2016 at 5:39 PM
    #15
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    No man like things too dry.. (Sean... post some pics of your truck with the STT's. Has to look very cool......!)
     
  16. Apr 25, 2016 at 6:20 PM
    #16
    trayday

    trayday New Member

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    I made my own intake and it was actually quite simple. I bought a 3" hole saw and cut a hole in the air box next to the factory tube that goes into the fender and I also cut a hole into the fender wall. I bought a rubber hose from a plumbing store and sealed it into the air box connecting through the new cut hole in the fender wall. Just make sure to remount your ground wire and spray paint the metal where you just cut to prevent rust. I'm also running an AFE dry filter.
     
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  17. Apr 26, 2016 at 12:47 PM
    #17
    SNOWBIRD

    SNOWBIRD New Member

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    minimal gains but that sound... its cool to be loud! i like my tundra loud!
    2 mpg better with the s&b and when i put the pedal down it sounds mean as fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    https://youtu.be/MeP6K_vzDxU
     
  18. Apr 26, 2016 at 2:19 PM
    #18
    LOTSOFTOYS

    LOTSOFTOYS Toyota Whisperer

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    I have mixed opinions about cais... yes a stock intake grabs "cold " air form inside the fender. A cai grabs the same air from inside the fender or is supposed to based on shroud design. What I will say is, cais use a smoother, alot of times larger tube increasing air velocity. Yes, with every aftermarket part, there's always a possibility of side effects. The occasional c/e light will piss some people off. It irritates me a little but I get over it because how the intake helps me. And i can clear the code with my fingers using my ultra gauge.

    What the cai did for me was give me slightly better mpg. Like 1... but what it really did was help my throttle response. I drive stock trucks just like mine every day, mine rips compared to theirs....

    Trd made a cai, if it were a bad idea why would they spend money on r&d for one?
     
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  19. May 14, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #19
    Tundralicious

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    Thanks for your video. I'm getting one just for the mean sound! I've only had positive outcomes from CAI so I don't believe many people on this forum being anti-cai. With a V8 5.7 32 valves, I can only see some fun coming out of this!

    Cheers mate!
     
  20. May 14, 2020 at 5:25 PM
    #20
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    Waste of money.
     
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  21. May 14, 2020 at 5:30 PM
    #21
    Tundralicious

    Tundralicious New Member

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    I rather be optimistic about the situation and see it as a way to get the most potential out of the engine. That's like saying exhausts are a waste of money. It might not be your cup of tea and I respect that, but what you're saying is not true. It makes the drive more fun.
     
  22. May 14, 2020 at 5:51 PM
    #22
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    This^^^ I got a great deal on an aFe cai. $150. Put it on my 07. Sounded kuul. Nothing else. Been there done that. Expensive thrill sound but not much else...zero fun factor. A supercharged 5.7 is a fun factor.
     
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  23. May 14, 2020 at 5:56 PM
    #23
    blackdemon_tt

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    Agree here there is a mighty car mods episode that dynos an S2000 with stock and different intakes and you actually lose horsepower and they tried different variations including sticking it out of the car. My car has it and besides drowning in the rain, it sounds pretty cool under load... other than that, that's it.
     
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  24. May 14, 2020 at 5:59 PM
    #24
    omgboost

    omgboost The Accountant

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  25. May 14, 2020 at 6:03 PM
    #25
    Black Wolf

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    and....to nip this in the bud.....throttle body spacers make a great paper weight. I take that back. Aluminum is light. Not even good for a paper weight.
     
  26. May 14, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #26
    Pitbull410

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    A lot of opinions in here and no actual proof of anything
     
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  27. May 14, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    #27
    RayMcGee

    RayMcGee New Member

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    I did the TRD airflow accelerator and AFE filter and noticed a difference. I recently switched it out with the TRD intake and difference is really noticeable.
     
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  28. May 14, 2020 at 6:08 PM
    #28
    blackdemon_tt

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    Fact: If the stealership installs the TRD CAI they do an ECU flash, which can unlock some hp, so is the CAI really adding anything or is it the flash???
     
  29. May 14, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #29
    Black Wolf

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    It's a forum. Many posts here are anecdotal from personal experiences from our members. What proof are you looking for? From who?
     
  30. May 14, 2020 at 6:11 PM
    #30
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    That's a good combo. I'm a K&N drop in fan but going with drop in aFe air filter when it's time.
     

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