K&N Cold Air Intake

Hello everyone. Anyone actually have a cold air intake on their Tacoma? Is it worth 300 dollars? Does it change the exhaust pitch? Anyone that knows anything about this on the 2nd gens, please chime in.

 

It'll change the sound, but won't do anything power wise.
Your truck already comes with a CAI stock. IMO not worth it.

 

I was thinking of getting one a few years ago. But everything that l have read showed very minimal HP and Torque return, if any at all return for the money, just more noise.

The factory system gets air from the front passenger wheel well. Already a cold air intake source.

 

For $300 you can get a dobinson snorkel. If that interests you that will give you some benefits to your air intake system.

 

See I had heard that my truck came with a cold air intake from the factory and it looks like it as well. But I've heard people argue that it isn't a true cold air intake. Interesting comments so far. Definitely doesn't seem worth the money.

 

It’s all perspective. I have a few for my sc so I can clean dry and oil them and always have one ready to go. To me sliders are not worth it because I don’t off road but to someone who does they are worth every penny.

 

Installed one on my 2007 Tacoma about two months ago, exhaust is much louder along with throttle response.

 

There are a few specific things that a true CAI system can provide for you. Picking up air from outside the engine bay is only (1) of those things. A lot of newer vehicles do that now anyway. And that alone (in my opinion) doesn't classify our system as a CAI. Agreed that it's still better than getting the air from the hot engine bay. But the manufacturers most likely does this for fuel economy reasons.

The other reasons for a true CAI deals with the amount of air that can be provided to the throttle body and how the air moves (laminar flow). You can add a High Flow filter to the OE filter housing (K&N) and have the capability of supplying more air to the TB. But you would have to install a true CAI to address the laminar flow issues (smooth bore air plenums with radius turns and other design concepts above my knowledge). This mode is usually only beneficial to high performance engines. You could do a "Stage 1 Performance Mod" to our engine and see a few modest gains in horsepower. Some people also call this mod "The Big 3". IE: 1) CAI upgrade. 2) Exhaust upgrade. And 3) Engine Tuning upgrade. However, even this mod is debatable for our engines.

For what it's worth - that's my 2 cents.

 

This is a great answer. A true CAI is beneficial if the engine you are running is thirsty enough for the air it can provide. The stock setup provides ample air for the stock engine. Supercharge/ turbo it and you will see benefits.

 

It only help throttle reposes in 3rd. If you not live in California, any off brand intake will works fine.

 

This guy did a pretty thorough review on air filters:
https://youtu.be/sJ3L-E-ufYo
Looks like k&n is a bunch of garbage...

 

The big 3 is an electrical upgrade

 

Installed an s&b cai intake on my v6. Wasnt expecting much gains just installed for the sounds. Deep and barely noticeable when cruising, loud and throaty when punching it. Worth the money imo. From what i hear, these k&n cai are supposed to be louder too

 

Best way to approach mods

remember it’s a truck, not a formula one race car.

 

I was looking into their cold air intakes. They seem far better than K&N. The design looks better, it's closed off. I think I'd rather go with S&B. I'm not looking for the horsepower gain, I'm looking for something that helps the exhaust.

 

i have had one since i got it brand new, but got it before i found this site. coming from lightly tuned lancer i went the route of getting the Intake put on before picked it up. knowing what i know now i probably would still do enjoy the sound when i push on the throttle in 2nd and get to the 3500-4000 range.

 

say if you looking for a CAI, I would like maybe into Afe power its closed unit unlike the k&n, but you really wont see too much performance gain until you change out the exhaust, since your exhaust can only push so much out at once and from the factory was made to work with the factory CAI that came in it. Plus if you change the intake you might wanna retune the A/F ratio since, your still running on a stock tune for the stock air intake. I'm sure the butt dyno will say different may be a little more responsive after doing this, but since you changed a lot and get the most for your money I would get your fuel trim remapped and that will add some power too.

 

Yes Sir. The tuning part is just 1 of the 3.

 

It’s battery ground to chassis, block to chassis and alternator to battery. I used to think all three cables equaled one then upgrading the battery was another then last was a higher output alternator but the big 3 is only cables.

 

How is an air filter going to "help" with the exhaust?