DIY: Secondary Air Filter Removal

Just pulled my secondary air filter this morning using jhodge83's cut & yank method. Worked great, and only took about 5 minutes to do from start to finish.

I just joined the forums, so I don't have much historical fuel data on which to track any improvement in fuel mileage (not that I expect any with my V6, but it's nice to know I've done something that'll piss off the eco-nuts). Not to mention the fact that I also installed my sweet stubby antenna mod, and there's no telling how much THAT'S going to help my MPG!

 

not sure if its worth drilling out the secondary air filter. that shits 381$ at the dealership. which includes the top part of the box, a MAF, and the filter. if your second guessing yourself don't do it.

 

My miles/tank went up from around 340 to 405...w/ an avg. mpg of 24. Thats both city and highway driving and a gentle foot. All in all a good move...

 

It's purpose is to block gas fumes from coming out when truck isn't running. Have never smelled gas at all from not having that charcoal bag in the intake. Maybe the throttle body doesn't like smelling anything with the air coming in and the charcoal eliminates any annoying odors for it.

 

I would love to try this however, i'm a bit leary since my truck has less than 300 miles on it. Definately going to do it down the road, if I can wait that long.

 

I did it the first week.

 

Does anyone think it would help my tacoma, i drive a v6 2002 3.4? cuz im interested in trying this but i dont want to take it out if its not guna help

 

I get maintenance done at the dealer ship would they say any thing to me if i do this?

 

Placed a small cut in the filter with a razor knife and pulled it out.
The rivits were left clean, no debris anywhere.
It takes less than 60 seconds from the time you pop the hood.
layers of cloth with a single layer of charcoal beads inside of it.
Even though the SAF is not very thick it would have to offer some restriction, even if only a little.

Note:
My 2010 does not have the little metal screen that was in some of the other guys pictures, maybe those were 6 cylinders.
My truck was purchased new by me, no metal screen.

As soon as I pulled out the throttle felt a little more responsive, crisper, right from idle. Took a little drive with the windows down and I think I can hear a little more of the intake noise than before. I really doubt this is pure placebo. A very small improvement in power for a 4 cylinder that would be an unmeasurable difference in a 6 cylinder.

I have never had an inspection mechanic open up my air cleaner box. I will never pay a mechanic to change my air filter. No one will ever see that it is gone.

My new question however, Is it worth it to buy an air intake kit like the fram?
Or should I get a lower restriction air cleaner for the stock box when this one gets dirty?

 

i just did this on mine. i have to agree with everyone about the throttle response being better. Also i dont know if it is me or what, but starting out in second is much easier too. It always seemed to bog down alot more.

Also i held it up to the sunlight, and i could see light through it, however i couldnt distinguish anything behind it. Far from being transparent at all. anyway, once i fill up next week, ill track the milage and see if it is any different. I pretty much run the same streets and highways everyday and i get usually right at 20mpg religiously. We shall see if it makes a difference there or not. Even if it isnt a difference in milage, i like the better throttle response already. So defintely worth it. Took about 60 seconds to remove it on mine also.

 

Makes more of a difference to 4 cyl than v6s from what I've seen reported.

 

have any of you heard of K&N. they make a drop in filter that flows better than paper inproves power and mileage,has no secondary filter and is legal in ca.it's not one of those tube $400 things it's a replacement that fit the stock filter houseing. costs abought $40.

 

Yes....I've owned several of these myself and enjoyed them. There are a lof of people who swear by the K&N and a lot of people who absolutely hate them. So, I wouldn't be surprised to see some negative K&N posts show up here soon.

 

I have not removed the SAF, but wow, I just thought about doing it and my truck started driving faster. Mind over matter, I'm thinking of thinking about tequila and Italy next..

 

I waxed the plastic housing of the filter box and that engine cover and think I picked up 2.3 hp gain... It must be the "petroleum distillates in the wax." It looks good too.

 

The primary air filter is not part of or attached to the secondary air filter. It is not included or attached to the K&N or the stock filter. The secondary is a seperate filter that is plastic rivited to the plastic housing.

I like the K&Ns, They flow really good and they last forever.
However, if you understand the cleaning and applying of the sticky treatment they require, it is real easy to see why some guys don't care for them. A lot of guys just run them dry, This is probably not a real good idea.

For you guys that are getting improved milage from waxing plastic and thinking about changing the SAF,
A little sarcasm sure goes a long way LOL

 

How does waxing the plastics give u 2.3 hp? There's no way that can happen

 

Sarcasm

You wax the inside of the airbox and it increases flow.

Don't be silly

 

I can hear the engine breathing better as well as pick up shifting

 

I have better throttle response. The intake is louder which I like, and I feel like I may have gotten a few horses out of it.