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Performance air filter mod questions

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by BPachom, Apr 25, 2009.

  1. Apr 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
    #1
    BPachom

    BPachom [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have an 09 4 cylinder Tacoma and am considering on replacing the factory air filter to a performance such as K&N. I've read some advertising of increased horse power and fuel economy with various brands. I would like to know if one filter is preferred over another for more horse power, etc. Can anyone provide feed back on this?

    Thanks!
    Bob
     
  2. Apr 25, 2009 at 9:39 PM
    #2
    GoBlueFan

    GoBlueFan Well-Known Member

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  3. Apr 25, 2009 at 11:56 PM
    #3
    neslerrah

    neslerrah Taco lovin'

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    From reading varies post on TW. A good portion of TW use aFe Pro Dry S on their Tacos. IMO, this is a great filter, especially for our 4 bangers.
     
  4. Apr 26, 2009 at 7:27 AM
    #4
    BPachom

    BPachom [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the responses :cool:.
    If I understand this correctly, the more airflow through the filter, there is more horsepower?
     
  5. Apr 26, 2009 at 2:20 PM
    #5
    GoBlueFan

    GoBlueFan Well-Known Member

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    only to a certain extent. The computer and it's sensors only have a certain parameter to work within. Not to mention the limitations engineered into it as well. It's a 4 banger...don't expect huge changes or gains.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2009 at 3:25 PM
    #6
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    X2. Also, Keep in mind that more air flow thru a filter comes at the expense of filtering capability. I dont care WHAT you read from K&N, their filter does NOT filter as well as OEM.
     
  7. Apr 27, 2009 at 4:48 PM
    #7
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    I just ordered the K&N 63 series air charger today. Should have the time to get it installed Saturday. I will let ya know how it works out.

    Chad
     
  8. Apr 27, 2009 at 5:02 PM
    #8
    BPachom

    BPachom [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, and good luck!

    Bob
     
  9. May 3, 2009 at 7:09 AM
    #9
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    In a (Toyota) van down by the river! Sonoma Cownty
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    2009 4x4 reg cab. Modded with more to come
    Polished 16x8 Pro Comp 1069's 4" BS Nitto Mud Grapplers 305/70/16 Magnaflow & glasspack muffler Stainless tip K&N 63 series Aircharger Vent visors Autometer volt and dig. temp. gauge custom mounted Factory chrome rear bumper (not black factory, one) TRD pedal covers TRD skid plate Hurst T handle shift knob Rear Tint Clear bra on the sides Chrome extinguisher Icon non resi coilovers, ICON RR shocks, black seat covers. And some other crap
    Well I intstalled the K&N system last night. Sounds really niffty accelerating to higher RPM's in 2nd and to a lesser extent 3rd gear and 4th. Don't seem to hear it much in 1st.

    I didn't notice any neck snapping acceleration, which I didn't expect. It might rev a little easier/quicker but not as big of a difference as I thought it would make. Thought it would rev up much quicker than it does. Probablly a heavy'ish flywheel maybe?? The ECU thingy may need to get use to the extra airflow and gradually adjust itslef, dunno. I have to drive it a little more when I can open it up and get on it more.

    Can't believe how restrictive that factory intake must be. Two freaking filters then a resonator, with all kinds of twists and turns in the intake tract. And the stock crap isn't exactlly lightweight either.

    Will be nice if I will pick up a mile or two per gallon, since my 32's and lift, seem to be giving me crap millage. Someday maybe I will regear. The gas millage doesn't bug me anyway, since I have a 2 mile round trip commute.

    Install was pretty basic.
     
  10. May 3, 2009 at 8:31 PM
    #10
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    Well I got to play around more with it today. I still have the factory exhuast on the 4 banger. This intake in 1st 2nd and 3rd wails when you get close and all the way to redline. Really kicks in pretty loud at 4 grand. When you get right on the verge of redline, it sounds like the engine is going to explode but in a good way. It really sounds evil close to redline in 2nd gear. Can't imagine what it would sound like with even a tame exhaust upgrade. IMO it doesn't sound ricey either. It just makes the engine sound like it's pissed off LOL.

    Uncorked the intake, now gonna have to think about uncorking the exhaust a little without making it too loud.
     
  11. May 6, 2009 at 8:15 AM
    #11
    drew02a

    drew02a Rocking your mom's world Since 1997

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    I just installed my K&N air filter last month and am really pleased with the result. Took the first road trip with it last weekend and enjoyed the increase in power. Obviously, it's not gonna turn your 4 cyl engine into a 6, but the difference is noticeable. For better or worse, it makes the intake louder. For fuel efficiency it's really more of a multiplier. Since it helps the engine run more efficiently, you will get better gas mileage than before if you are a conservative driver. The opposite is true though if you drive aggressively because more air supplied = more fuel supplied + more power.

    If you're really wanting to minimize intake resistance, remove the secondary charcoal filter too (as long as your state inspection doesn't require it). It's a free mod. Most people who did this mod on a 4 cyl noticed a difference, however small. Not worth failing your inspection over, but otherwise every little bit counts, right.

    To really get the benefit of these kinds of mods though, you need to open up the exhaust end too. That'll probably be my next mod.
     
  12. May 6, 2009 at 9:18 AM
    #12
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    Best of luck to your engine if you are ever in a slightly dusty place or offroad at all. Thats all I have to say
     
  13. May 6, 2009 at 9:22 AM
    #13
    drew02a

    drew02a Rocking your mom's world Since 1997

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    I'll definitely be checking my airbox for dust every now and then.
     
  14. May 6, 2009 at 9:52 AM
    #14
    drew02a

    drew02a Rocking your mom's world Since 1997

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  15. May 6, 2009 at 10:13 AM
    #15
    GoBlueFan

    GoBlueFan Well-Known Member

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    Got any real world info or data to back that up? Or is this just verbal gossip that gets passed around by those that don't know or don't have any experience with it?:confused:
     
  16. May 6, 2009 at 10:16 AM
    #16
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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  17. May 6, 2009 at 10:17 AM
    #17
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    In the tests I have done, K&N was the only filter that let dust into my intake. I only tested it for about 5K miles, at which point I threw it in the garbage.
     
  18. May 6, 2009 at 10:18 AM
    #18
    GoBlueFan

    GoBlueFan Well-Known Member

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    just a peeve of mine when snippets are tossed out there with no real data to quantify it.

    I've already read over the other links...this was a response to germ's snippet.



    I'd also add that individual variations will happen when it's up to the owner to clean, oil a filter. LOTS of variations with this one and very possible to get it wrong.
     
  19. May 6, 2009 at 10:22 AM
    #19
    GoBlueFan

    GoBlueFan Well-Known Member

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    Here's a question. Who's actually SEEN/had a motor that has grenaded due to using a high-flow filter? Or even had documented damage due to a high-flow air filter?:confused:

    Been around a long time...can't say I've seen or even heard of one.
     
  20. May 6, 2009 at 10:25 AM
    #20
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I never had one blow up an engine, but when I had a K&N my oil samples came back with silica levels off the chart. FWIW, All anyone here is doing is giveing their opinion because it was asked. For all I care, people can dump sand in their engine and run it.
     

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