Cold Air Intakes. Debunking false claims.

High flow air filters will allow more contaminants to pass thru. It’s part of what makes them less restrictive, they do not filter as well. This is why I won’t run one.

 

Completely agree. Part of the band where most of your daily driving (left part) is noticeably compromised. What is up with that? And the video says parts are improved. Selective perception.

Edit: Looking at again. Dashed line is stock. Looking at the lower torque curve, it does more harm where I would most need it. If that were my truck, I would say not only am I not paying for this, but get that shit off my truck NOW!

 

We noticed, but that was a "prototype" offbrand CAI so its not a great comparison, that's all.

 

Think McFly, If Toyota could buy this part for 32 dollars and make 31 more hp and 40 more torque?

 

I don’t think they ever produced this intake tube? Sikky?

 

Increase of 5KW at the top end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwNtjKT_1cA

5% increase in the top end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKZdUyoz14

15-20HP on V8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weZrNmISjaE

Small increase plus better sound = worth it to me.

 

Exactly.... that’s why it’s /thread

 

So why would ANYONE want one if you are constantly sandblasting your engine from the inside out.

 

This is true. But if you change your oil regularly your fine. Been running them for 20 years. I've even ran open turbo with no filter and that motor has 330k miles on it.

 

Most live in town n never see dirt. I live on. Gravel roads air filter lasts about 1k miles. Did a race in a 79 charger with no filter and destroyed the engine from sand. Forgot to reinstall the filter after a rejet for elevation.

 

Exactly not, because certain other intakes/vehicles/combos WILL yield real positive improvement in hp/tq.

There are so many variables that affect this. So one rinky dink video of one particular model intake on one particular truck does not equal /thread. The blade cuts both ways.

 

Not sure why you are quoting me... lol.

I already know, first hand, that some CAI systems do work on some cars.

 

Yeah mine was on a street track. Lol. If on dirt roads open intake not a good idea. Ha. That sucks about the motor!!

 

Apples and oranges. We do not have a GM ECU nor do we have a V8 with 340hp and 360 lb ft of torque.

 

@chris4x4 these people need your expertise, oh CAI Jesus.

 

he is smart enough to stay out of this mess

 

Even if it did add HP (or lower HP), it is such a small amount, especially at the RPM's most people use, that nobody would be able tell a difference anyway. We're talking less than 5% change best case at high RPM's, most likely no more than 3%, and sub-1% at the RPM's we normally drive at. I find it interesting that anyone is passionate about either side of the argument, especially on a modern engine where the ECU is going to adjust for any change anyway.

That said, I can appreciate the OP's effort to get some real-world, first-hand data and am interested in the results.

I do have a K&N on my '77 Celica, and I am sure it makes somewhat of a difference there, but that's a totally different story. I think that 20R only started with 96HP.

 

https://youtu.be/llKZdUyoz14

Decent video regarding CAI’s. The increase in performance (very minimal) is seen at the higher end of the RPM range. So, for the daily driver, it wouldn’t be worth it... Unless you have a lead foot. And or if you like the noise. I’m running the TRD intake. I enjoy the noise it makes with my MBRP exhaust.

 

Thought I would share an experiment I am running on my truck. I recently put the S&B intake on my truck with their paper filter(not a reusable one) to see if it would help with fuel economy. I change my oil at the same time as adding the CAI and over the next 5000 miles I will keep track of my fuel consumption by tracking miles and how much fuel I fill up with. If anyone is interested in my build thread to try and get the best fuel economy here is the link. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gtjoshs-fuel-economy-build.528235/

 

Good question... I personally do not see the trade off with performance vs protection. The performance gained is so little that it does not and will not make any difference at all. These guys keep arguing over numbers on a chart that do not make any diff in the way the truck actually drives. Do you gain horse power...sure, maybe a little...but not enough to tell from the drivers seat. And the trade off to gaining that very minuscule amount of power is less filtration of the air going into your engine. Sure the filtration loss isn’t going to show up in a catastrophic failure right away but in the long run you WILL have premature engine wear. Don’t get me wrong... cold air intakes have their application. On a tuned up vehicle with exhaust and big injectors you may need the added air to burn the extra fuel more efficiently, but to this I say add the forced induction of your choice and be done with it. Gobs of power with out sacrificing engine protection. Another application may be for all the mall crawlers out there who never see dirt. You guys might be okay. But if you’re like me and use your truck as a truck a cai is very impractical. IMO. I do respect the fact that everyone has the right to do as they wish to their trucks. If the cool sound and under the hood bling is important to you then more power to you.