Why TRD CAI (or any CAI for that matter)?

Ok so I've moved out of that wonderfully restrictive state we all know as California and I'm living in a state that I can actually do a few things to my truck. I'm revisiting adding a CAI since I already have the TRD exhaust. Looking at the TRD CAI just to be consistent and all Toyota.

So I ask myself.. why a CAI anyway? Supposedly CAI's are mainly to allow cooler outside air to flow into the engine giving it better performance vs sucking air from the engine bay. I've read threads for years here an no one though has ever really talked about the fact that the stock air intake already takes it's air from under the fender well which is EXACTLY the same place as a CAI would.

So humor me here.. other than just to spend some money and add that mod to a line item of mods I have why else would I want to consider the TRD (or any other) CAI? *.. note I already have an AFE ProDry air filter installed as well.

 

you dont want to consider a CAI.

 

Because the people designing the after market "cold air intake" want to be as rich as the engineer who designed and tested the stock air induction system. So they over price a "cold air intake" system. And hope that they'll be as bad ass as the Toyota engineers are.

These Toyota engineers know what the hell they're doing. Stick with OEM equipment.

 

TRD CAI mainly has a benefit of a better engine note. Also looks nice under the hood.

That's about it.

 

you may notice an increase in throttle response but not worth the two to three hundred bucks.

 

pretty much a waste, you'll hear it suck, a bit lol

 

Not quite the answers I expected from the moding crowd here but things I figured anyway. I got the TRD CAT simply for the exhaust note myself and it does help a bit when I'm heavy into it when towing but as for a CAI looks like I'm gonna stick with my decision I made a while back and save the $$$. Simply isn't worth it in this truck as was stated the engineers have already taken care of the air intake "issues" with the stock design.

 

should I return the red wire ???



great thread, kept wondering this myself. I did the 2ndary screen removal mod
and removed the half-cup thing on the end inside the wheel well and felt a bit of
low end and a little bit of growl when I step on it. I thought other than an aftermarket
cone type filter what's the big difference between stock and a $400 cai.......?

 

Never, matter of fact I would change every wire behind the dash to red, then take it to the dealer to install a radio

 

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