aftermarket intake questions

This seems like the right thread to post this:

I just installed an MBRP 3" exhaust and the AFE cold air intake with the scoop, the dry filter, the filter guard, and the throttle body spacer on my '17 TRD OR DCSB. It's a bit noisy, yes, but not too bad, and it does have a mild highway drone (both of which don't really bother me), but the truck most definitely, positively, absofuckinlutley has a bit more power and throttle response especially at higher RPM's. There seems to be a very slight decrease in power/torque at very low speeds, shifting from 1st to 2nd (it actually feels like when a fuel mixture is just barely too rich), but the gain up top makes that pretty insignificant to me.

On a 4 mile stretch of highway that I travel often, there are a few slight to medium ascent grades that my truck used to shift down to 4th on. After the intake/exhaust, hitting 4th happens very rarely.
That alone should save fuel, however I truly don't expect to see anymore than a 1 mpg gain or loss.

I wouldn't expect an exhaust or intake alone to create any noticeable gains. If you're going to do one, invest in the other.

In retrospect I don't really think the TBS is worth it, though on harder accelerations it kinda sounds like a turbo spooling up.
All in all, the intake/exhaust combination sounds cool, it looks pretty cool, it was fun to install (I love the self-satisfaction of turning a wrench on my own vehicles), and I got a bit more power right where I wanted it.
Worth the money I put into it. Would've been $100 less without the TBS, but c'est la vie, I've paid my dues and I've got a decent enough income to not fret over $100

Hope this info helps someone in their decision to do or not to do their intake and or exhaust. Cheers!

 

You paid for the TSB?

 

*TBS

Throttle body spacer

 

LoL... My mistake

 

There's a couple videos in the thread posted above (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-intake-review-2016.469911/). I'm still trying to find a time to get a fly-by video. I like the TRD CAI/PAI (it's both a performance and a cold air intake) as the sound isn't obnoxious however gives it a bit more of that growl mainly heard from outside. Throttle response and acceleration have a improved a bit. I love the looks of it too.

 

I had read that AFE actually made the TRD CAI's for a few years. They're still quite similar. The new TRD intake definitely looks more badass than the AFE. I think the wheel well intake in the TRD is a little more solid than the AFE. I like that the AFE has the optional scoop (which I have installed). I can't really quantify the difference between scoop and no scoop, but it's got to be doing something as the air into the scoop is coming from outside the engine well and therefore is truly "cold."

All in all, both quality intakes that add a bit of pep that I think the 3rd gens definitely need.

 

I went with the K&N drop in filter.

 

No way, the aFe looks a million times better than the TRD.... Oh well, you know what they say about opinions.

And I would say that the aFe draws from a better cold air source with the scoop (straight from the grille, right above the radiator).

Also, I'm sorry but the cone filter on the aFe has a hell of a lot more surface area to draw air than the flat TRD filter.

Either one is a improvement over the stock intake.... But the aFe is better.

 

The TRD intake is essentially a stock set up. It's an after market flat filter with a plastic piece that connects to the wheel well. Looks cool tho.

 

Heheh - Agreed - which is why I got the AFE

Though those red stripes and lettering on the TRD, to me, certainly look more badass, as I stated. And as you stated, opinions...
Function over form though, especially when it's hidden under the hood :]

 

This is a misconception. In the lengthy review I did (linked in this discussion), I went through all the differences. The differences between stock and TRD are as follows:

• The TRD intake pipe has been re-angled to be a straight-shot to the throttle body while the stock is curved
• The resonator on the TRD intake is much smaller and the connection to the resonator has also been reduced creating better airflow
• As you stated, the flow accelerator is a rubber piece that seals the intake to pull air exclusively from the wheel well (will not pull any air from the engine bay) making it a true cold air intake
• As you also stated, the TRD air filter is higher flow
• The TRD top lid has been enlarged (not sure if this makes a difference with air flow) and the intake mount on the top lid is thicker and much more sturdy than the stock filter lid. This may not seem like a big deal but on an older Tacoma, I managed to break the intake mount on the box. It's a nice addition to the complete kit.

+1 for the TRD intake looking so ba. I prefer the look of it over the AFE. I do, however, think the AFE intake is awesome and it if wasn't for all my other TRD stuff on my pro, I may have gone the AFE route due to the ram scoop option. Both the TRD and AFE intakes are the two intakes I would recommend for our trucks. Both made with excellent detail focusing on performance and clean intake air (K&N's lets too much dust in).

 

Thanks for clarifying. Small modifications to a stock setup basically. Not worth the price tag in my opinion. To each their own however.

 

I mean, if we're talking costs and differences between stock, the AFE's only biggest difference to the TRD is the scoop and the cone filter vs. the flat filter that the TRD has. Just because the TRD unit re-uses the bottom half of the box, doesn't make it a modification to the stock setup. If so, the same argument can be made with the AFE (Taking an intake and re-routing/making things flow better). I think as an intake is concerned, both TRD and AFE are both valid options achieving the same performance needs. It ultimately comes down to style and sound preference. AFE is definitely the costlier option especially if purchasing the scoop.

 

I agree both intakes will provide better flow over stock. I'm just not sold on the TRD intake personally. Someone on TW posted a parts list of the TRD intake awhile back. It was around 150.00 bucks max to buy all the parts individually. Adding TRD to the outside of the lid does not justify adding 200 + dollars to the price tag.

I would like to see a dyno run of a stock setup with a drop in filter vs the TRD intake. My bet is the difference will be so minimal it's not worth it.

 

You won't be able to use the stock top lid with the TRD intake. I've tried, it doesn't work. The angle of the stock lid intake mount does not work with the TRD intake tube as it's designed to be straight. So, even if you source all the other parts, you still need the TRD top lid due to the angle of the intake connection. Having TRD stamped on top isn't the only thing you're getting with the top lid (but it is a nice finishing touch). Each piece in the TRD kit is designed to work together and will not work with the any of the stock intake parts aside from the bottom of portion of the box (which the instructions lay out on how it is reused). Sure, Toyota may have priced each part in a way to make you cringe but I'm assuming they did this to make it cheaper to replace the parts that will most likely need to be replaced. If they put most of the cost into the top lid, this is actually beneficial to the TRD intake customer as replacing the top lid is something that will never be needed. However, the connections and tubes are more likely to break and therefore are cheaper to replace. So, thanks Toyota?

Also, definitely not trying to start a forum fight. Just want to make sure everyone who reads these posts have the facts before making their decision.

 

so....anyone do a before and after dyno yet?

 

I feel ya man. Not trying to start anything either. It's just my opinion Toyota didn't put forth much research and development into this intake. Adding a TRD lid and a few plastic pieces does not justify the high price tag. The changes over stock are so minimal I can't see spending the money. The biggest increase would be the filter. But again, to each their own.

 

No, this has been asked so much. I would if I had the time/resources. Hopefully someone... someday...

Agree to disagree for sure. Just out of curiosity, do you feel the AFE (or any intake for that matter) is worth the cost?

 

Yes absolutely. I feel the TRD is over priced and the performance you get is not worth the price.

 

I went with K&N drop in and probably going to make my own "intake tube." A few guys have done it on the 3rd gen Facebook page and you'll spend less than $100 total. I imagine eliminating the silencer with a new tube will give it more sound.