Cold air intakes? What have you tried?

Does anyone have a cai?

which one? Is it worth it? Does it add mpg and power?

thinking about getting one, but wanted to hear possible reviews for how they do on our trucks.

 

Still stock personally

 

"Worth it" can mean so many things. If you expect a good horsepower increase, then no. If you want mean engine noises, maybe. If you want to get a bit more mpg, possibly.

Let's clear the air first. "Cold air intake" is what these trucks come with from the factory, they draw in air from the fender. All aftermarket intake kits I have seen are really just a tube with a cone filter and a weak designed partition that doesn't do a great job getting cold air. They don't get air as hot as many will want you to believe, but definitely warmer air than stock.

The only real aftermarket cold air intake is made by Volant. It is an enclosed box that feeds through the fender much like the stock kit, however the box is smaller than the stock box and doesn't seal nearly as well.

Airaid makes a "kit" that is really just a filter and a replacement tube that uses your stock airbox. It doesn't flow much better but makes cool noise. K&N used to make a very similar kit with a better filter design.

I have the airaid kit. I have the K&N tube and cone filter kit. I have the box from the Volant kit, which I built a bastardized CAI with. Yet, I run the stock kit with a washable filter. It is better than any aftermarket kit.

 

Had the TRD air intake, it’s pretty, adds great air intake sound under throttle. Didn’t notice better gas mileage, didn’t notice more HP.

 

people on here will bash a cold air intake all day. Its relatively easy to see why. $300 for no "real" performance gains. That said, they give an aggressive sound, and for some people that alone is worth it.

 

I don’t think it’s worth it. I have a volant intake for my 2002, but I’m currently running a totally stock set up at the moment with a paper filter. I like it better than the volant unit. IMO, I feel a slight loss in power at certain rpms with the volant. You can’t get much better than stock.

 

My 2002 and my 2nd gen Tundra both run great with the stock CAI that Toyota designed for the vehicle.

 

Sounds like it’s not worth it then.

guess I’ll stick to the good ol’ drop in filters.

 

Your stock box and a paper filter are the way to go. You can shop at DENSO for high quality OEM filters. They cost about $16 each with shipping.

https://densoautoparts.com/

 

Aside from the cool noise, very little gains to be had by swapping air filter setups. Most of the high flow filters do so at the expense of actually filtering the air. So more "stuff" is getting through and has to be burned and passed through the motor. Things like fine sand that ruin cylinder walls and rings prematurely. The noise change is mostly due to the intake tube between the throttle body and the air filter box. The factory setup on most vehicles now has a series of air baffles and chambers (like a muffler) to help quiet things down. Swapping this for a straight tube will give you the sound. Cool video on Youtube comparing the different filters and their efficiency at air flow vs. filtration.

https://youtu.be/sJ3L-E-ufYo

 

Look for a dry one. Oiled filters have too much opening in the mesh. AEM makes a nice quality dry filter, AFE is another good option.

Amsoil used to make a great one but it's no longer in production. Airaid makes one but it's pretty bad quality.

 

The summary for me-just stick with the OEM paper filter. Anything else seems like a waste of money.

 

AFE is the dry 'performance filter' I dropped into my 2007... nothing but OEM Toyota filters in my 2002.

I would not use an oiled filter in any vehicle that uses a mass air flow sensor.

 

So, anyone try and retrofit one of the trd intake 'air accelerator' to a 1st gen airbox?

They make them for 2nd/3rd gen and the 4runner/Tacoma/etc. They're not expensive either $10-20.


It's basically a velocity stack that works with the stock airbox. The trd intake kits give you one of these, a fancy looking lid and an oiled filter (bleh!).


2nd/3rd gen


4runner/Tacoma

 

I'm pretty impressed with the stock filter on my 06 DC. Compared to other vehicles I've had, there is a lot of filter surface area. I wonder if that is a contributing factor to the longevity of these trucks? Seems like it breaths good, and filters the air very well.

 

I don't think anybody has tried that. I have seen similar on other cars, there are a few companies that make intake kits for turbo VW motors that use a velocity stack right where the filter meets the maf sensor. Curious if they make a noticeable difference.

Edit: just read this, pretty interesting. I might look for one and maybe put it at the airbox opening or where the airbox joins the pipe if possible, I doubt the shape will allow.
https://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4...ue-gain-on-toyota-trucks-52540.html?printable

I have seen people open the front of the box and run a tube with a funnel shaped opening attempting ram air but the problem is they leave the larger stock opening open. In my opinion that method just creates air passing through the box but no ram effect.

 

Yes they do but it's fairly minor. You'd need a bit of dyno time to see the differences. Most of it is realized on throttle response/changes. I had a k&n fipk on another car which had a flap style afm which had radiused edges leading into it, one of only 2 intakes that made a difference iirc. The other was an uber rare apexi.

I agree, can't do anything if its not captured. I considered something similar.

I saw a post on TS where a guy made a ram air intake. Neat idea.

 

Yes, I knew the Lizard well. We obsessed over mpgs together long ago, I miss the guy.

We discussed a different idea that was more bold, to install a small scoop in the hood above the headlight and route an air tube to the box, then close off the rear (stock) opening. He never found a spare hood to try it on.

As cheap as these stacks can be had, I'm gonna try it out. Not really for horses but there could be efficiency gain, or at worst case some cool noise.

 

Well, now, the more I think of it I'm not sure the velocity stack would serve well. Between the 90 degree bend to hit our throttle body and the little box chamber on the intake tube, I think turbulence may defeat any stream created by the stack.

I might try it anyhow, can't hurt.

 

It's not to help anything after the filter turbulence wise but rather to fill the airbox before the filter more efficiently/effectively. Which should translate to better airflow overall.


In any case, pulled my airbox to inspect it (and emptied the collected crud out of it). An odd shape but the 4runner or Tacoma one may work if sizes match.





I wrapped a piece of wire around it, just in front of the foam seal and it measures 12 1/4" long. Which means 3.9" I.D. (basically 3 7/8") may work.

 

@assassin10000 I know testing has been done to determine that only at wide open throttle there is a mild restriction from that airbox tube you are looking at. A stack there should be beneficial but might be canceled by the filter.

I'm wondering if a stack at the maf would work a little better, but knowing at wot there is restriction, that could defeat using one at the maf. As cheap as they are maybe one in each spot for fun.

Here is how the VW guys do it, its benefit is controversial there as well. Stack goes between filter and maf. Their maf has a screen on it similar to 2nd/3rd gen Tundras.

 

None of my local dealers have one or I'd go measure it to see if it'll work lol. Is there one in stock anywhere near you?

 

I tried looking for the TRD ones and couldn't find them, maybe I need to refine my search. I have seen generic stacks on places like this http://www.siliconeintakes.com/air-filters/4.0"-black-turbo-intake-aluminum-velocity-stack-p-9522.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irjtaOh2bGmzPMpyr1YxCH8ruxTlRg4cqjMmj9TNyyK6Sxs2AkivKIgaAjxuEALw_wcB and consider removing that pipe in favor of a short 4" ABS pipe or similar. I happen to have a spare airbox for scientific purposes.

I'm starting to think maybe I should find one that would fit on my K&N "CAI" tube and a filter to cap it. That way I remove the box restriction and gain velocity if it is possible.

 

TRD call them an 'air accelerator'.

2016+ Tacoma part # PTR03-35160-AE


This one won't work, my brother in law has a 2020 Tacoma and I measured his just a few minutes ago. Approx 4.33" diameter.






2005-2011/2013? 4runner/Tacoma/FJ cruiser part # PTR03-35090-AC.


No measurement yet. I think my sister has this gen 4runner, maybe I'll go investigate.

 

There's only one answer to this debate....

http://hydrogenpros.com/tornado

 

$40?! Too rich for my budget.

 

They still make those? I remember the late night infomercials about them!

 

Hahaha.

They're probably not still made... they were just not able to sell them. All are probably NOS.

Went back over and pulled the intake tube on my sisters 05 4runner.



Just before foam measured 11.5-11.625" around, which is 3.66-3.7" diameter.
Also measured around the foam 12.5", which is 3.98" diameter.

Looks like this one may potentially work.






Also when looking for TRD intake kit pics, I saw one of the AEM setup for the 4th gen 4runner which has a similar rubber velocity stack. I don't know if you'd be able to get one separate but it may be another option.