Snorkel and Intake Modifications

Hello everyone,

As the title states, I am considering purchasing a snorkel and /or a cold air intake system. For some background info, I have a '22 TRD Sport, Double Cab, with a 5ft bed.

Doing my research, I noticed that some people either install a snorkel, cold air intake, or both and use them at the same time. I would like to know the difference between the two and what the difference would be if I were to install one or the other, or with them in conjunction with each other and have them work together. Now, I have done a lot of research as to how they function, their purpose, pros, and cons, maintenance, etc... I will put the links at the bottom of the post of what I am considering purchasing.

Oh and please drop suggestions of what you guys have under the hood and what cold air intakes are worth buying.

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Snorkel: https://www.extremeterrain.com/arb-tacoma-safari-air-snorkel-system-ss172hp.html
Intake: https://www.extremeterrain.com/s-b-cold-airtake-w-oiled-cleanable-cotton-filter-1619-35l-tacoma.html

 

CAI is stock on these V6 trucks, I wouldn't spend any money on it.

As for the snorkel, not sure... Good luck!

 

i thought the tacoma already has cold air intake?

 

S&B is an excellent aftermarket CAI system. Do not buy an open filter system as the OEM air box is a true CAI.

Be warned about the lack of warranty with everything that Extreme Terrain sells.

 

CAIs and snorkels do 2 different things.

A CAI, which is what the Tacoma has from the factory, pulls air from somewhere other than the engine bay in the interest of getting colder air, which is more dense and therefore more oxygen rich, to the engine. They can also improve the "smoothness" of air flow to reduce restrictions caused by turbulent air. The Tacoma OEM air intake is in the fender well, so it already addresses first purpose of a CAI. The second purpose is not relevant to the 3.5L or 2.7L engines in the Tacomas, as they can't demand enough air (at least if naturally aspirated) for turbulence to be an issue. Bottom line, unless you are doing it purely for looks or sound, a CAI offers no value on a Tacoma.

A snorkel's primary purpose is to relocate the air intake a higher point on the truck. This reduces the likelihood of taking in water when off-roading. They are also providing for cold air intake at the same time (minus the features of a CAI setup intended to address turbulence) but again the Tacoma already has one, so no real gain to speak of there. They also look pretty cool, although cutting a whole through your fender has to be a bit scary! LOL

 

I installed the snorkel for the purpose of clean dust free air going to the factory CAI. The water fording ability it’s appreciated(don’t forget to extend the rest of your vents)

https://youtu.be/oUTLWM9S-Zw

 

And I have installed safari, dobinson and eBay ones. The template on eBay it’s a little off but experience has enable me to install it as perfect as it gets

 

How is the quality difference between the name brand ones and eBay?

 

Not much to be honest. Seems like they come from the same factory. as I mentioned before the template it’s a bit off but with some patience you’ll get it perfect. I do installations btw lol as FIY I own a dobinson and I believe @Crikeymike its a supplier and constantly has coupons for discount if I’m correct. Cheers!

 

Like others have mentioned, Tacoma comes with CAI stock just like all modern vehicles.

If you wanna add some intake noise then aftermarket intake will do that, don’t expect power gains though.

I would strongly recommend avoiding oiled type filters, they simply do not filter as well as paper.

FWIW Tacoma uses same intake as a 5.7L v8 in the tundra, so Tacoma gets more air than it needs stock.

I added HPS 57-1600 intake tube and air flow accelerator which is a part of the TRD “performance” intake, sounds great. Zero performance gains though.

 

I was considering getting a CAI for performance gains but does it even give the tacoma a good enough performance boost to compensate for how much it's worth? Essentially is it worth buying an aftermarket CAI?

 

Is it worth buying a CAI for the Tacoma? Will it even give me a good enough performance boost to make the purchase worth it?

 

I'm afraid not, unless you are doing it for sound or looks. It will add nothing in terms of performance. I've actually seen this proven on a dyno. The Tacoma engine simply can't demand enough air to benefit from a CAI, no matter the style (with the exception of adding a supercharger, although even that is debatable as to if there will be any gains).

That being said, if it makes you happy, go for it! It's your truck after all! If I ever come across a good deal on a used one, I'll probably do it just for the look and sound.

 

No, look somewhere else for power(forced induction, internals and tune)

 

Zero performance gains sir, just cool noises.

 

Yep. Tune is best bang for the buck performance wise.

 

Okay so then would a snorkel be worth it then? I'm aware that the only real con is cutting a hole in the fender, but aside from that is it worth it? I'm also considering purchasing an exhaust for my truck. Link is below
The choice is between these 2.
1: https://www.extremeterrain.com/mbrp-black-series-dual-exhaust-system-side-exit-1619-35l-tacoma.html
2: https://www.extremeterrain.com/flow...haust-system-black-tips-side-exit-717918.html

 

Would a snorkel be worth it? And how would the installation work? I believe someone said in this thread that the stock CAI is in the fender? Does the snorkel connect to the stock CAI or does it just cool the engine as a whole by allowing ram air into the engine bay?

 

That depends on how you define worth.

If you like the look, then it's worth it.

If you plan to off-road in a matter where you are likely to pull water into your intake without one, then it's worth it (bear in mind there are other considerations if this is true!).

If you are doing it to improve performance, then it's not worth it.

 

Unless you’re tuning you engine you will not see power gain from exhaust, just annoying noise. Idk if you had the chance to see the video I added on post #6 that will provide with the “why a snorkel“ question.