3rd Gen Tacoma's Air Intake System

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and recently bought a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road in Quicksand. I love it!

Yesterday, I had a Magnaflow muffler added to get a deeper, throatier sound. After talking to a friend, he suggested I look into a Cool Air Intake as I may be putting stress on the engine by not having one with an exhaust.

I have read a few threads on this forum as well as other websites, and it seems like the general consensus is that the stock air intakes do just fine even with a custom exhaust.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is it necessary to upgrade?

 

Just pony up for a TRD intake and thank me later. I have a magnaflow cat back 3" exhaust. Makes a big difference with performance. Don't listen to the no experience nay sayers that never tried one and just do it.

 

Your screen name......

Selects a non TRD exhaust

Doesn't know truck already has a CAI.

How can this be?

BTW. Your 'friend' may be a wonderful person. Even very bright. But use great caution in listening to their mechanical advice.

 

There is only one mod “necessary” for the 3rd Gen powertrain: More right pedal.....the rest is just for show.

 

AFE I put on. Sounds really good, mileage is better but also my truck was practically brand new so that could be due to breaking in etc. I did run TRD intake on my last two Toyota’s. Decided to try AFE for the dry filter not messing with MAF sensor and the extra intake tube.

 

Cool, thats what I figured. Coming from a 5.0L V8 F150 to a 3.5L Taco, extra throttle response would be nice. But I dont think its really worth another $300 bucks IMO.

Haha, I was very surprised that my username wasnt already taken.

 

hasn't this cai/catback debate gone on long enough? Dyno numbers or it just isn't true...referring to "performance" gains.

 

Thanks, but my original post isnt really talking about performance. Rather I am wondering if I am putting stress on my engine in any way by not adding an aftermarket CAI now that I am running a Magnaflow muffler. I have done some research and just by adding the muffler alone probably isnt really "opening up" the exhaust much anyway, so logic tells me I should be okay. Just wanted other folk's input considering I am new to the Tacoma world.

 

The only way 'stress' would be added to the engine via the exhaust would be the addition of restriction.

Like a failed cat restricting flow. Or a partial potato in your tailpipe.

 

Gotcha, thank you. I didnt know if by adding a more "open" exhaust system meant that the engine would have a harder time taking airflow in to keep up...in turn causing stress on the engine.

 

No experience naysayers lol. OK man whatever you say.

 

Tightly tuned butt dyno.

Safe place resident too.

 

Stress on the engine? I've never heard anything so ridiculous. I've been building cars and have been a mechanic for 15 years, that's definitely a first. An engine is basically an air pump, intake and exhaust, if you can get air in and out of the engine as fast as possible, the better it runs. Exhaust will help, intake will help, intake will optimise, but not needed and no additional stress. You have nothing to worry about if you don't want to do an intake.

 

Just get a k&n reusable air filter.

 

Congrats on the new sled.

To answer your last question: no, it is not necessary to "upgrade". Your stock intake is just fine. If you do want more sound, then an aftermarket intake will provide that.

In due time I will be adding a TRD intake and Borla exhaust because I would like some additional sound from my Tacoma.

Best of luck with your decision (to intake or to not intake).

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/air-box-mod.559404/


Try this, it's the newest best intake mod out there