Cold air intake

I'm a new member to this site and a new owner of a Tacoma. I have been looking at different accessories to add on to my new truck. What are the benefits/pros of a cold air intake? Also, are there any cons? I would really like to hear from someone with some firsthand experience(Before and after performance).

 

You got a cai when you purchased your truck but if you want braaaPppp buy a afe cai

 

You won't get 15+ hp like all the companies say. Mostly it'll bring some sound out of your engine.
You're better off saving for a SC if you really want HP.

 

On many engines an aftermarket intake can be a waste of money.

I can tell you this I have done extensive dyno testing on the different Toyota trucks and I can tell you for a fact you will pick up power when you get that restictive stock air filter box off of your 1GR engine.

Out of the ones I have tested, the URD makes the most power improvement. On my 2005 XRunner we picked up around 18 RWHP.

The next best of the ones I have tested is the aFe Stage 2si. On my 2006 4Runner we picked up 12 RWHP.

This was using a DynoJet Dyno.

G

 

Did you do a dyno run on all the intakes or just those two? I'd love to see the differences in intakes (TRD/aFe/Stock/etc,etc) on a dyno to settle the debate once and for all.

 

There's a bunch of bad information repeated about the "CAI". Cold Air Intakes have been put on production cars for decades. After-market CAIs are intended to help with flow.

Cooler air is denser than warmer air. But, temperature is not the only thing that affects air density. As we know, pressure has a greater influence on air density. Think turbo or blower. In “normally aspirated” engines, air is drawn into the combustion chamber. Low pressure on one side, higher pressure onthe other, the air flows to the low pressure area. The throttle body obviously has the greatest influence on this flow. However, the pressure gradient is affected by all the components in the intake path. Tubing size, length, bends,shape changes, filters, silencers, all add to the loss. The higher flows willsuffer the greatest pressure differential. Air volumes are measured by MAF, Mass Air Flow, sensors. By measuring mass they avoid the pressure measurement issues. (The MAF sensor measures the airflow across a known cross-sectional area. If that sensor is moved to a different size tube it is no longer accurate. That is a problem with some after-market intakes.)

So, a lot of people say that if you don’t go full throttle,then this doesn’t matter. Not true.

Example. My garage is approx. 5000 feet high. I routinely drive to 9000+ feet. Since the atmospheric pressure is low, the engine needs agreater volume to make up the same mass as at lower altitudes. This leads to agreater pressure loss across the intake. So, I pulled the secondary filter,replaced the air filter with a high flow unit, and removed the silencer in the fender. Yes, there’s a little more intake noise but the performance change was noticeable.

http://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_hp_abs.htm

 

I'm not sure what you are trying to say. But yes I did not and cannot change the atomspheric conditions. I can change the pressure loss across the intake track.

 

Chris, I read your other thread with the paper attached. That study also recognizes the pressure loss in a "stock" intake system.
The Camry showed a 1.58 kPa loss with the new filter at WOT. (I mention the Camry because yes I have the 2.7.) 1.58 kPa is about 0.23 psi. It also shows a 1.26 sec loss in 20 to 80 mph acceleration. 7% by their numbers.
If removing the secondary filter has been proven to improve flow, why would we assume that removing the Helmholtz chamber would not? Or for that matter, using a aftermarket "CAI"?
My point about the altitude is that it takes more volume, hence closer to WOT to make the same power. More volume, more pressure loss. If I can improve the pressure loss, I can improve power.
However, you are correct about mpg. Since the computer balances the air/fuel ratio, limited air intake would have no infuence on mpg.

 

Wow, I wouldn't have thought that saying lowering intake restriction would give more power, would cause such an issue. I think we are in agreement with the mechanics of this, but not on whether the results are significant.
I'm not claiming huge gains. I'm just trying to get all available pressure at this altitude. If the atomspheric pressure is 12.5 psia, I want minimize loss and have the engine see all 12.5 psia.
And, I certainly don't believe the gains claimed by the manufacturers of the aftermarket intakes.

 

Please take a moment to read and edit this post.

 

Chris, Ok, I get it now. I've been reasonably polite and tried convey my point. You're obviously just screwing with me. You make one statement and then make a contrary statement right after. You have a complete other thread that contradicts what your saying here. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/195952-air-filters-mpg.html

If you have a question regarding my point, ask, I will try and answer to your satisfaction. However, you can continue on with the regular internet bulletin board crap without me.

 

Whoa! sh!t is getting hot in here