TRD or AFE CAI, which one should I buy?

Looking for best CAI. Which one should I get?

 

you looking for sound or performance?

 

Neither and stay stock.

 

Literally just answered this Question this morning.

Keep it stock, remove the charcoal filter in the top of the box, widen the intake from the wheel well. Get a straight intake pipe that removes resonator from autoanything for 200$. Done.

 

TRD. Dealership can't say nothin' about it since it's a Toyota product.

 

Does it do anything for real? Looks pretty. I'd get the TRD Pro because if I'm buying it for looks and ticking check boxes anyway, I might as well get one that the dealer won't give me too much shit about.

 

it adds intake sound in the cabin a bit, and for me driving my MT the sound helps me guide my shifting. a little extra sound helps me hear the revs. there may be a touch of throttle response added but it's subtle, and evidently arguable around here as well, in case you haven't noticed.

 

That actually sounds practical. Thanks

 

My TRD CAI makes a deep growling sound and gave me better throttle response than stock but I’m unsure of any HP/torque gain...when I pop the hood it looks cooler than stock which is about it.
Toyota does advertise it as an increase in performance but does not publish any actual hard numbers. My guess it’s a tiny blip on the dynamometer, not enough to publish to justify the high cost.
I simply chose the TRD CAI to avoid any warranty issues.

 

According to AFE's website, their CAI is NOT Ca. CARB compliant while the TRD unit absolutely is. AFE's site clearly states for offroad use only. Whether that affects you where you are I have no idea, but it might for some.

 

There is no tangible proof that any CAI produces add any more performance than the stock set up in the V6, its an ongoing debate,for your investment you will get more noise. and then there is the" Placebo affect." because of the money you have spent and all the marketing hype (propaganda) that caused you to invest several hundred dollars. you will preseive a Horsepower gain, and better throttle response.
the only thing for sure is going to be the noise. So now you have heard the truth, it up to you decide whats important.
Good Luck

 

exactly which pipe ? I looked at the Autoanything website there are several options.

 

@Lucifer1 I think this is the hose.

https://www.autoanything.com/air-intakes/hps-performance-silicone-air-intake-hoses

 

You could look at it this way, if you'd like something like an exhaust or cat back for the sound, but would like to spend less, then an intake might be a good purchase. A lot of people buy exhausts and catch no flack, but CAI/intakes are trigger for a lot of angry people. Oddly though they both produce noise, with the intake being controllable, and yet people harp on the intake crowd for wasting money despite the lower cost. Neither produces any noticeable power, both produce noise, but apparently the intake is a bad purchase. I've had both on many vehicles, I just sold my intake purely for the cash, I miss the intake. It sounded nice, it does help with shifting by ear, and it did rev a bit easier.

 

I was going to add that AFE "claims" a 17 hp increase with their system. I have a real hard time believing that, particularly if nothing is done with backpressure. TRD claims a a noticeable hp increase on the dyno but won't show you the numbers. I wonder why. You do, however, with either system get air filter you never have to replace. You do have to lean how to clean and oil them properly, as in never too much oil, just like the K&N filter on my 911.

 

I’m running the TRD CAI... expect some sound and 1-2hp over the factory CAI and your warranty will be entact. Also throttle response is slightly better in the midrange.

 

@M1Awolf Thank you.

 

Yup that's the one. The resonator box on the TRD intake is smaller than the stock one. I'm 90% sure that's the noise difference right there. Get rid of it completely you should have some good noise

 

Air intakes used to do alot man, on new vehicles now they just... don't. Especially the oiled ones. Muck up the MAF and your back to where you started.

On the other hand, get a nice 2.5" exhaust, free up some restrictions you should see some gains still. Little more torque below 2500rpm, maybe a couple ponies up top. I'm hoping to get the URD catbacks this winter. If the OVTUNE twin turbos aren't in the budget....

 

Fuckin stock is already a cai lol