DIY: Secondary Air Filter Removal

I've continued to see a slight mpg improvement. Trust me, I've put 30k miles on mine since I pulled the filter, no problems nothing, just better mpg. The big differences IMHO will be at higher engine speeds or longer steady driving (freeway or long trips)

 

still debating this mod, just can't figure out the huge discrepency in results. If the trucks are all similar then is it the terrain and the way we all drive that makes the results vary?

 

yeah, i didnt notice much on my v6, besides idling and sounding a little better.

 

Not doubting that, but do you have a link to the data? The only benefit I'd see would be at high engine speed and that might not even be much...

 

Actually you will get more of a difference from removing the secondary air filter at LOW rpm's and partial throttle conditions.

My rationalization on this is it takes a certain amount of energy to draw air thru the filter. To move the truck takes energy to overcome enertia, wind resistance, rolling resistance, drivetrain loss etc. The amount of energy it takes to draw air through the SAF is a larger percentage of the engines available power at low speeds and low RPM than it is at high speeds and high power output.

I'm also convinced more people notice the difference with the I4 engine than the V6 because the big difference in available power at all RPMs means the SAF uses a much smaller percentage of total engine output.

 

yeah i didnt mean to beat a dead horse, guys, but thanks. im gonna be getting it within the next week here. its on its way. and i was just wondering, thats all.

 

Ths debate would be best continued over a beer.

 

Now we are talking. (Narragansett?) Have not had one since college. More money = Better Beer

I took the secondary air filter out about 4 months ago and also did the AFE drop-in at the same time. I have been recording the mileage at every fillup and have a scangauge II. I can't say that I have seen a real increase in gas mileage since then. I do think the truck has more acceleration since the filter was removed so maybe my foot has been in it more. At some point I'll try to get around to posting my observations.

However, I don't see how the air filter removal would change your RPM's.

 

I meant to include the above comment. I do think you are correct in what you say about the I4 verses the V6 and the percentage of available power.

 

well guys, got the filter today. i did remove the secondary filter on my 4 banger. i just drilled out the rivets. The truck sounds way better around 2500-3000 rpms. the truck idles at 800 rpms now when in neutral. and i made it 20 miles with the gas marker on the line before the E. its Great. i love it.

PS. Once again, Will, in his infinite wisdom , was correct about the CEL light NOT coming on

 

I did the secondary filter removal today on my V6 QuadCab. Will I see a difference? Probably not but figured it doesn't cost me anything so why not give it a shot. I'll be dropping a AFE dry filter sometime soon too.

One thing I would say from most of the posts I have read, some of you guys are making the removal way too hard, especially on the V6. All I did was open the filter box like I was going to change the primary filter. From there all you need to do is take a small, thin and sharp putty knife to slice the heads off of the secondary filter and pull it out. No removing the engine cover or unpluging sensors and hoses. It took 10 minutes start to finish.

 

oh cool. glad you found an easier way to do the mod. but yeah you probly will see a slight improvement in throttle response, but not like you would in a 4 cyl

 

Can someone please confirm for a dense noob....

Installing the TRD CAI will also remove this charcoal/secondary filter -Yes/No

Thanks fellas

 

Yes. This will remove the entire assembly that normally houses the secondary filter. The same is true with any aftermarket CAI.

 

i just did it. didn't use a drill.. just a worklight (it was dark) and a flathead screwdriver. Just stuck it in and ripped it out, snapped it back together... did it at a commercial break! I BET it will do nothing for a v6. BUT i put it against my mouth and blew really hard (ew) and i didnt feel much air coming through it. I'm sure it'll make it just easier to breathe. Why not do it? Its FREE!

 

did you just put the stock air filter back in?? if so, you might want to consider buying an AFE pro dry S filter for your rig. just a thought.

 

what would that do?

 

it is a high performance filter that does not require oiling. so it wont screw up your Mass airflow sensor. it drastically improves rpm idel and mpg. at least it did for me. but guys still are having success with the 6 cyl and the AFE pro dry S.