Opinions On Cold Air Intake

What do you guys suggest for a cold air intake (brand, wet or dry, horsepower, etc...)? I have a 2003 4cyl Xtra Cab. I need a bit more horsepower to help on the hills, I know of K&N but I don't know much about them. Except that they are really expensive, are there any advantages to them?

Thanks
Liam

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.8/

 

look up deck plate mod and maybe a afe pro dry filter. I wouldn't go with k&n. and no need for a CAI. do the deck plate mod and your good

 

Links?

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tacoma+deck+plate+mod

 

get a true cold air

 

You asked for opinions so I will give you mine as there is NO definitive answer to this question.
Stock intake is a CAI.
K&N filters work just fine, do not over oil it, most common problem and it's on the end user to do it right. There is a procedure to oil them, follow that procedure and it will be just fine and give many years of service. Over 120,000 miles on my K&N and absolutely no problems. Engine has 232,000 miles currently. Dry air filters work just fine too, I'm not knocking them at all, it's totally your decision as to what YOU want to use.

Really the biggest advantage to using any washable filter is that you save money over time by not having to buy a disposable filter. Not actual HP increases, but possibly slightly better throttle response.

Deck plate mod, I have no opinion on this. Supposedly there is somebody who ran a dyno test and there was some increase. A lot of guys are doing it. Biggest thing you hear back is increased intake noise and having to plug the hole when it rains. If you do this mod I suggest a screen over the hole so as not to end up with excess debris in the air box.

Removing the two intake resonators and plugging the holes will help a little with throttle response, when combined with a slightly free-er flowing muffler. Again this will add some intake noise but it's not too bad unless you drive at WOT all the time. I myself have done this and for the moment am pretty happy with it. I have not noticed any significant HP increase but the engine does rev up a bit smoother and the throttle response is slightly better.

Better way is to do an aftermarket intake tube that is smooth, no resonators, and it will have the proper vacuum line connections. If you do this, some kits remove the stock airbox all together and add the cone shaped filter with an engine shield to keep the cold air coming in. Other kits simply replace the tube itself and you retain the stock airbox and filter of your choice.

None of these will give significant HP increases, but every little bit helps.
With your 4-banger I think a lot of guys swear by the long tube exhaust header for actual "feel it in the seat of the pants" horsepower increases.

When did you last do a tuneup? New plugs and wires every 30,000 miles can make a hell of a difference.

 

I just got it and have been meaning to do a tuneup. I don't necessarily feel like redoing headers so I'm looking for some easy things to increase my HP. Anyone have any more details on deck plate mod?

 

without going full blown super charger you arent going to gain HP. if you swap the intake, headers and exhaust you get a smoother flowing louder less potential MPG ride. newer electronically controlled vehicles dont take advantage of bolt on go fast goodies like the old days. even with a supercharger you need to retune the ECU to make it run right.

 

search button is your friend, try it out...https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/17024/?q=deck+plate+mod&t=post&o=relevance

 

well hes only a 4cyl so even the deck plate is a waste of time.

 

If I do CAI or deckplate it won't need to be retuned right? The ECU can correct enough for it.

 

considering it does 1% difference if that, the ECU will be fine.

 

Downshift one gear, press the right pedal a bit harder. Much cheaper and easier than anything else you are considering, assuming the vehicle is a decent state of tune.

 

unless its an automatic, if so. not much help there. that 4 speed auto paired with the 4cyl is just not built for speed.

 

Its a 5spd with a 4cyl... I have no idea when the last time it was tuned (just got it). It has ok acceleration and power I just want a bit more out of it, I always hear how CAI can add like 7HP and you can feel the difference going up hills. I just want to know your guys opinions.

 

Should've bought a truck with a V8 if you wanted something with more power.

 

OP, since its a new to you truck, I'd start with a basic tune up, see how it does, and go from there.