How hard is it for me to install Catback Exhaust and CAI?

I am pondering adding a Cold Air Intake and Catback Exhaust to my new Taco. I have ZERO experience working on cars/trucks. Would I be in over my head trying to install these on my own? What kind of special tools would I need. Do I need ramps to raise up my truck to get underneath to do the exhaust removal/install? Please give honest advice here.

 

The OEM intake it came with is (in most cases) going to be the best - sounds crazy but here's the real deal -

The reasons anyone makes a "cold air intake" are:
1) To sell you something that "looks cool" and makes noise (keywords - sell you something).
2) Because "Fast & Furious" was just such a cool movie and "you gotta be like them, dawg".
3) You'll think your ride is that much better than the next one just like it (they made thousands of em).

Now back to the real deal -

Most "cold air intakes" are misleading to begin with. If the filter is an open element (you can see the filter) and it's under the hood, it is actually a "hot air intake" (in other words - they lie and sell you something). When was the last time you ever felt a cool breeze under the hood of a car/ truck? A true cold air intake has to take in air from an ambient source - aka outside the engine bay. If you want one that bad for the "cool factor", or if your car/ truck doesn't breathe from outside the engine bay, find one that fits that description.

The air that the OEM (the one it came with from the factory, or Original Equipment Manufactured) air intake breathes in is usually from just behind the grille itself, or sometimes from a fenderwell. This "air charge" is actually cold (or ambient temperature air), as hot air will just drop your ignition timing (because of pre-ignition or detonation) as the temperature of the intake air increases, and take all your HP with it.

Let common sense help some on deciding just how good an aftermarket part or system is:
1) Why would the Manufacturer short you on the performance it could have for an extra $100?
2) If you gained MPG with a simple piece of tubing and a "one size fits all" air filter element - wouldn't they do that at the factory that built the vehicle?
3) Who do you think has more money and resources for Research and Development - the company that designed and built the entire vehicle, or the company that made that "cold air intake"?
4) If something you could buy and install yourself would actually add HorsePower and MPG, why would any vehicle manufacturer waste millions designing it the way they did (and lose the edge on the competition)?

Add to that the water protection that a stock OEM air box is designed to provide. Water intrusion is a HUGE concern to prevent damage, and here's the reason, air compresses and water doesn't. If an engine breathes in water, and tries to compress it, it will break in a big way.

Some "cold air intake" kits have a water intrusion valve that is basically a ping-pong ball in a sleeve - good luck trusting an engine to that. I know where they got the R&D on that design, just open up a wet/ dry shopvac and you'll see the same thing. Amazing how brilliant these things are when you dig.




Leave the CAI alone and have a qualified mechanic install your exhaust....




Let the stock CAI haters begin...............................

Buying it because they like the sound.............lol.....

 

^^^ A "form" post on every CAI thread. Rather tiresome

Both are easy installs. Don't know about the other brands, but TRD come with superb instructions. You can do both in one hour, two if you are drunk.

 

The exhaust is easy, will take you less than an hour. Only two bolts hold it on.

 

If you own 2 arms with hands in 100% working order @ the end of them. You can do this install yourself.

 

Wow. Can I get the Cliff's Notes version next time? Or maybe for the OP delete everything but the last sentence?

While informative for the OP and others only the last sentence had any bearing on the question at hand.

My question for the OP would be,"Are you somewhat mechanically inclined?"

I would also say if there is any doubt that you can complete the project at hand get someone with more experience to assist you.

 

You are to young to understand how to save someone some hard earned money.....................

 

sorry surfsup but i still dont buy the whole if it works better than toyota would already done it... cars are built to be super safe making them quite a bit heavier, emissionless which restricts air flow and other factors... the TRD intake says that its not 50 state emisison legal so that might be one reason its not stock

to the OP intake is super easy to install if u have a simple rachet set, and a full catback system would be easy to install also, tho a muffler welded on would be cheaper

 

I guess if you call pushing 40 too young than you're right. I like to think I am very young spirited though if that counts.

 

Some people have money to spend and enjoy loud cars, mods(even if they dont make you faster), and like to be unique. Just because someone decides they want something that isnt from toyota but fits on one doesnt mean it isnt just as good quality

 

I jus had to LOL when i read this hahah this forum makes me smile =]

 

I realize that most "cold air intakes" are misnomers. I always refer to them as "high flow air intakes." You can get performance gains in a number of ways, including having a colder air charge or getting more air. The high flow air filter does the latter. The TRD website posts dyno results that show an increase in hp an tq throughout the rpm range. It's not just a perceived power gain, there is data to back it up (assuming there is no funny business on the part of TRD's website).

Secondly, isn't TRD the same company that built the truck?

I believe that the majority of people don't care about the extra power. The stock setup is a cheaper way to build the truck so to save money, Toyota mass produces the most cost-efficient setup possible. Then they leave the upgrades to the small number of people who care and are willing to spend the extra money.

I have never bought an air filter "for the noise". I've bought them for the stated power gains. I think the burden of proof is on you to show that the dyno charts are bogus.

 

Surfsup ++++11111111100000000000 Funny, I know an engineer for a very major auto manufacturer and he said exactly what you said. Anyone who buys a cold air intake may just as well take that money and flush it. It does absolutely nothing. For anyone who wants to buy those, please send me the money and I will at least send you a gift that will give you more than an air filter. Put the money in a lift or wheels or something worthwhile. Exhaust yes they do increase a tad and they sound cooler.

 

That's only about the 1000th time you've posted that. How about being original and not posting the same thing over and over, especially when it doesn't answer the OP's question? You're making a lot of friends here lately, dude.

 

......and I will keep posting it........................ Internet friends ?

 

I honestly dont care about the money, I really like the sound a cold air intake adds as well the trd does increase hp in high rpms a slight bit, but I can almost guarantee that you will lose fuel mileage. to answer your question tho which is why you made this thread I would say that as long as you can lay down on your back on the ground and are capable of using a few tools you should be able to install both yourself no problem. You might as well at least try then if you cant, take it somewhere to have it done.