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Cold Air Intakes

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Logan_welch123, Jan 17, 2019.

  1. Jan 17, 2019 at 6:21 PM
    #1
    Logan_welch123

    Logan_welch123 [OP] New Member

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    Who has a K&N cold air intake in their taco? I'm really interested in getting one and I've heard a lot of good things but a few bad things. I read that it can set off the check engine light due to the fact that the engine is used to a certain air flow. Has anyone had problems with their cold air intakes? I've found the right filter to fit my truck but want to get some opinions before I spend the money and put it in the truck.
     
  2. Jan 17, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #2
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    You know you already have a cold air intake from the factory, right?

    So you're speaking of the drop in filter only?

    Not for me.

    Step out to Google and enter 'K&N filter Tacoma World'

    Results will fill the rest of your evening. ;)
     
    Mully, ChemDawg and crashnburn80 like this.
  3. Jan 17, 2019 at 10:05 PM
    #3
    Hambone22

    Hambone22 Go Pokes

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    I’ve got one on my 4cyl. I haven’t had any problems. They are noisy but don’t add much hp.
    25102487-010F-4674-A114-E81D52E9F413.jpg
     
  4. Jan 18, 2019 at 10:24 AM
    #4
    thruhike98

    thruhike98 Well-Known Member

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    Keeping it stock-ish: • Michelin Defender LTX M/S 265/65R17 • Removed TRD Sport Bedside Decals • Removed Westin Nerf Bars (Prev. Owner) • OEM Running Boards • OEM Bed Mat • OEM Cargo Net • Spare Tire Cable & Lock • Hose Clamp Tailgate Theft Deterrent • Front Door Windows Tinted • Gecko's Sliding Window Security Bar • ImMrYo's Rear View Mirror Mount • Undercover SE Tonneau Cover • Removed Driver's Seat Lumbar Adj. Knob • Denso Iridium Spark Plugs • Removed K&N Air Intake (Prev. Owner) • OEM Air Intake • FIXD OBD-II Monitor • Redline Gear Oil: Trans., T. Case, F. & R. Diffs. • OEM All-Weather Floor Mats • Brake Quiet to Stop Clicking on First Press • OEM Daytime Running Lights Relay & Jumper • Original OEM Non-D.R.L. Relay • Goplus Hitch Extender Rack • Smittybilt Receiver D-Ring, Recovery Strap, & Shackle • BOLT Receiver Lock • Mpow Phone Holder, CD-Mount • AUKEY CC-S1 2.4A Dual-Port Charger × 2 • Removed Faded "4x4" from Mud Flaps • AUKEY DR02 Dashboard Camera
    I had one on my 2011 Tacoma when I bought the truck last October. It was loud and, at that point, I didn't know what it was doing to my HP, good or bad. In addition to your concerns, I heard about them messing up the Mass Airflow Sensor, because of the oiled filter.

    I got a used Tacoma factory air intake and had my mechanic swap it out. He took out the non-cold-air-intake K&N (it's not - it pulls air from the engine bay), and installed the true-cold-air-intake factory parts (it pulls air from outside the passenger fender). The noise was reduced, but still truck-like, and I noticed no difference in the HP. Also, removing the K&N solved a very annoying rattle I thought was a heat shield. It was the K&N.
     
  5. Jan 18, 2019 at 10:33 AM
    #5
    pnw.river.junkie

    pnw.river.junkie Well-Known Member

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    I have one on mine, but it came on the truck when I bought it so I can't really compare it to stock. But the truck runs like a top, I have no complaints. I clean my MAF sensor every once in a while and it looks the same as the MAF sensor in every other rig I've owned.
     
  6. Jan 18, 2019 at 10:33 AM
    #6
    thruhike98

    thruhike98 Well-Known Member

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    D.C. Metro Area, South of the Potomac
    Vehicle:
    2011 AC V6 4WD 6-Speed Manual Tow Pkg Silver TRD Sport
    Keeping it stock-ish: • Michelin Defender LTX M/S 265/65R17 • Removed TRD Sport Bedside Decals • Removed Westin Nerf Bars (Prev. Owner) • OEM Running Boards • OEM Bed Mat • OEM Cargo Net • Spare Tire Cable & Lock • Hose Clamp Tailgate Theft Deterrent • Front Door Windows Tinted • Gecko's Sliding Window Security Bar • ImMrYo's Rear View Mirror Mount • Undercover SE Tonneau Cover • Removed Driver's Seat Lumbar Adj. Knob • Denso Iridium Spark Plugs • Removed K&N Air Intake (Prev. Owner) • OEM Air Intake • FIXD OBD-II Monitor • Redline Gear Oil: Trans., T. Case, F. & R. Diffs. • OEM All-Weather Floor Mats • Brake Quiet to Stop Clicking on First Press • OEM Daytime Running Lights Relay & Jumper • Original OEM Non-D.R.L. Relay • Goplus Hitch Extender Rack • Smittybilt Receiver D-Ring, Recovery Strap, & Shackle • BOLT Receiver Lock • Mpow Phone Holder, CD-Mount • AUKEY CC-S1 2.4A Dual-Port Charger × 2 • Removed Faded "4x4" from Mud Flaps • AUKEY DR02 Dashboard Camera
    Hey, I have a gently used K&N Engine Air Intake, if you'd like it. Stainless steel air tube, not black like above. Will give you the Good Guy discount.
     
  7. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #7
    BackOff

    BackOff Well-Known Member

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    Would be interesting to see if anyone has bothered to disconnect the battery after installing a "CAI", so the computer has a chance to adjust to more air.

    Due to the nature of a fuel burning engine, if you add more air you will burn more gas...not better MPG.

    My observations...take with grain of salt. K&N 63 on a V-6 2004 T4R.
    Just adds noise.
    After you are moving 10+MPH you are getting the same temperature coming into the front grill area as you do from the fender/wheel well. (Scangauge2)
    So to me a true CAI is good for rock crawling or drag racing.
    Intake air temp is hotter, but only 10*, and that's at below 10MPH.
    Sitting in traffic last summer I had 130* at intake, 96* outside temp, not moving.

    I like that I can see if my air filter is dirty at a glance.
    I can clean it.
    Never had a MAF sensor issue. (over oiled)
    Rodents have to chew metal mesh to get into the motor.
    It is louder. I like, sounds different than the soccer moms T4Rs.

    I get more dirt/mud/snow into the open fender hole to air intake than when it is sealed off.

    Adding exhaust and the URD MAF CAL seemed to help out the overall 'feel' of the intake mod.
    Seems like you have to modify the computer to get any real butt-dyno improvement.

    The last best bang for a buck CAI looks like that S&B to me.

    https://www.sbfilters.com/cold-air-...ed&utm_term=s&b intake&utm_content=S&B Intake

    engine bay.jpg
     
  8. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:43 AM
    #8
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    Don’t waste your money to look cool.
     
    Mully and TacomaSport86 like this.
  9. Jan 18, 2019 at 5:45 PM
    #9
    Mudsock

    Mudsock Well-Known Member

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    I had one on a 99 4cylinder.

    Sounded nice, but did really nothing performance-wise that I could tell.

    Save your money and keep the stock air filter.
     
    TacomaSport86 likes this.
  10. Jan 18, 2019 at 8:53 PM
    #10
    Buckwheat893

    Buckwheat893 Well-Known Member

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    If you decide to go with K&N, make sure you do not run an “oiled” filter. Your MAF sensor will hate it and you will constantly be clearing a P101 code.

    I did tons of research on intakes before I bought mine, and ended up with the URD True cold air intake. It’s cheaper than the K&N, sounds better (IMO) and looks better. Plus I don’t get codes and there is a noticeable difference in power and MPG for me.

    Unpopular opinion: hindsight being 20/20, I’d save my money. There is no such thing as a fast Tacoma, I don’t know why aftermarket performance modifications even exist for our trucks. But, it does sound cool and gets people’s attention :cool:

    726E657E-34E7-4297-A85A-B6AFF6D83E6E.jpg 08931301-04D3-4934-8153-ADB363B1F596.jpg
     
  11. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:18 PM
    #11
    White lightning boosted

    White lightning boosted Well-Known Member

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    No such thing as a fast tacoma eh? You haven't read all the threads on this site. Anything with almost 400hp is going to have some go. Ask me how I know.
     
  12. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:30 PM
    #12
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

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    TRD supercharger , Doug Thorley header , K&N CAI 265/75-16 Toyo open country mud terrain , 15x8 Method Racing wheels , Rancho 3" lift , 4.88 gears , Detroit Locker
    I'm running a K&N CAI on my 02 DC Pre Runner with a supercharged 4cyl I never have any issues mentioned in the hundreds of posts on here .I also have (2) K&N Filters one with a Outerwears pre filter and the other has a K&N filter sock . One is always ready to install pre oiled and pre filter on

    I swap out the filters at every oil change and the filters are clean

    Filter ready to install


    20190102_203146.jpg



    Filter currently on my truck


    0316181601_HDR.jpg
     
  13. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:56 PM
    #13
    omegaman2

    omegaman2 Unknown Member

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    no it doesn't sound "cool" - yes it does get my attention when the neighbor chick fires up the pavement princess before it's light out...no need for it
     
  14. Jan 19, 2019 at 6:32 AM
    #14
    Apex1

    Apex1 Well-Known Member

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    The full cold air intakes are LOUD. IMO not good loud either, more drone. Also the factory air box is a good design pulling air from the fender, not pulling air from a sheet metal box inside the engine compartment.

    What I did was use the good factory design and improve on it. The aem intake was my model.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anyone-use-this-cold-air-intake.580430/

    However it was 300 for a pipe and filter.

    I used 4” tubing and silicone coupler and made a pipe from the factory air box through the hole in the fender and it terminated with a full 4” velocity stack. I also threw in the k&n drop in panel filter. The whole deal was $100. Its better than oem plus uses 45* bends rather than 90*.

    Result, it’s a bit louder under load but not anything near an open cia. Also it feels better at all throttle settings. It feels like it pulls harder, but just seat of the pants. I am still testing but noticed a small mpg improvement also. About 10-20 miles a tank.
     
  15. Jan 19, 2019 at 8:24 AM
    #15
    GREENBIRD56

    GREENBIRD56 Well-Known Member

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    Over oiling the K&N is a personal problem - I've had several on both carbed and EFI motors over the years and it's not a problem. My kid is 40 and can't do it - wouldn't let him touch my truck! Have you checked out the "redirected" factory intake tubes people have illustrated here on the site? Takes air from the cowl chamber and seems to be a bit better from water intake standpoint. Still waiting for an elbow design that seals to the hood.......
     
  16. Jan 19, 2019 at 4:39 PM
    #16
    Buckwheat893

    Buckwheat893 Well-Known Member

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    Even with 400whp you’ll get waxed by anything other than stock vehicles. What do you run in the 1/4 with 400hp, low-mid 13’s? That may be quick for a truck, but by no means is that fast. At the end
    Of the day our trucks are governer limited at 110mph indicated without extensive modification.
     
  17. Jan 19, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    #17
    Buckwheat893

    Buckwheat893 Well-Known Member

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    That’s interesting because when I bought a K&N replacement for my Injen filter last week it threw a code right out of the box. Factory amount of oil on that filter.
     
  18. Jan 19, 2019 at 6:28 PM
    #18
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    I keep seeing pics in this thread of intakes that are pulling hot air out of the engine bay. The stock intake is a true CAI.
     
  19. Jan 19, 2019 at 10:56 PM
    #19
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

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    If you want a colder denser intake charge then wrap the CAI tube with a heat reflective wrap from the throttle body to the filter . Doing this will drop intake temp dramatically
     
  20. Jan 19, 2019 at 10:58 PM
    #20
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

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    My filter pan is sealed tightly to the hood using foam pipe insulation , no warm air enters the filter !!
     
    Pigpen[QUOTED] likes this.

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