Tuning up my 04 Questions and K&N air filter questions

Had my 04 for about a week and it drives good, strong. This is my first vehicle with coil packs. Changing the plugs and wires on my 95 stang and 92 s 10 are easy. What is the rule of thumb on when to tune up my Taco as far as changing the coil packs, changing the plugs? Plugs routinely as to any other vehicle but the coil packs at much longer intervals? I haven't read the manual yet and know sometimes the literature in the manual sometimes are general and folks don't follow them to the T as they are safe to follow , but not necessarily a must , must do?

Also as far as the K&N filter, my rule of thumb for getting it on the mustang was not having to buy filters all the time. Anyone has one for the Taco and did it pick up on performance? Any disadvantages?

 

The coilpacks should last the life of the vehicle, unless you're like me and the #1 cylinder eats a spark plug, melting the pack. Then it's a good time to replace it. They're $115 at the stealership, I don't recommend getting aftermarket ones.

K&N filters are pretty much the worst air filter you can get, they do almost nothing to filter particulates out of the air - you may get a little extra power because of the lack of restriction, but you'll pay for it with a fouled intake, dirty valves, plugs, etc. You're better off sticking with the stock paper filter, or using a dry filter like an aFe.

 

lol stealership

i think ebay or Amazon might have the OEM coil packs as one of my co workers bought some for his Honda but not sure if they were OEM. Knowing him he would of wanted OEM.

I read a debate on K&N filters a few yrs ago or last year and people were on both sides of the fence. Can't remember which side people leaned toward more. I believe it was in support of K&N.

How much does a paper one cost for the Taco? I would assume one from Wally world would suffice.

Oh and what about the spark plugs being replaced? Replace those at the regular intervals as in most vehicles especially older ones where you replace every 10-20 k miles or so?

 

K&N air filters are junk. Thought I was smart putting one in my Supra turbo for some "slightly added performance". Performance started to dwindle, mpgs went down, and rpm was choppy and hesitating. Turns out the oil was getting my maf sensor coated and dirty. Luckily I took it out in time, cleaned the maf sensor (which is insanely expensive) went back to paper filter and everything was fine.

There is NO reason to get any kind of performance air filter for a Tacoma. And listening to random civic driving dumbasses on a forum for performance advice is a bad idea. Toyota air filters are cheap and Wix and Frams from autoparts stores are just as good, don't believe any different.

 

yeah that's why i wanted to ask you guys. I wouldn't have went to a Honda forum to ask their opinion lol

as for the stang, I've had one in their for a very long time but the car isn't stock

 

Not sure what the recommended interval is for changing spark plugs, I just changed mine with 60k miles on them and they looked fine, idles and drives fine as well. I would check them every 20k just to see, maybe put some anti-seize on the threads, but only change them if they need it (or you feel like spending a bunch of money).

I'm going to add on that if you're doing routine maintenance on your truck, replace the fuel filter while you're at it. Cheap, super easy on the 3.4, and it will help prevent injector issues.

 

yeah on the mustang I go about every 12-15 k on plugs.

what brand of plugs for the Taco do you/most guys go with?

for wires on the my s 10 and car, well the car I change more often. On the car I might change wires every 30-50 k miles or so and probably the same for the s 10.

what about for the Taco?

As for fuel filter on car and truck I go about 15-18 k miles and change them

 

Go with Denso or NGK for plugs and wires, I believe the Denso part number is

$18 K16TR11 Spark Plugs, Pack of 4

K16TR11. You don't need to change the wires that often, they will last through several sets of plugs.

 

yeah I've run NGK on the stang the past few times I changed them

 

If the truck is running fine, I wouldn't waste time or money changine the plugs. I think you should think about the timing belt and water pump. Any idea if those have been changed?

I really think the people reporting HP gains with the K & N filters are only hearing the change in sound. Most often because the air intake sounds louder, they "think" the truck is more powerful.

My '98 with the 3.4 went 240,000 miles on the same plugs and it ran fine up to the point the frame rusted in two. The motor ran so good, I'm keeping it for a spare.

 

yeah i will inquire with one of my mechanics on his recommendation for the belt. He is good with that stuff and i usually take his advice. Not sure when they were changed so will probably within time go ahead and change the belt at least. Water pumps on any vehicle I've had I changed when they started a small leak. NOw if I changed the belt i guess the pump is there so in that regard yeah i would change it