TRD Intake Review (2016+)

Are there any real improvements in fuel economy or performance after installing one of these intakes?

 

Many thanks to the Original Poster for their original comprehensive helpful writeup and this thread.

Based on this I purchased and installed the TRD Performance Intake and am satisfied with it. I didn't expect much except a bit more intake sound and that is what I got. I purchased it from the previously-listed OEM Part World link for a good price and it arrived complete and ready to assemble. I installed it easily after reading this thread and the instructions carefully - no leftover parts and no real way to do it wrong, good job TRD!

FWIW I didn't purchase the TRD oiled air filter, but instead re-used the stock paper filter which fits and works fine. I'm not a fan of K&N-type oiled filters as I've read studies where they didn't improve performance but did flow more contaminants into the engine.

I've also purchased and installed the TRD cat-back exhaust, and think that plus the intake may have provided just a bit more power, along with subtly better sound. Don't know if these mods are worth the money, but I prefer the truck with them rather than without, so I guess they're worth it to me.

Thanks again OP!

 

If it put a smile on ur face, and it was your money..... it was "worth it" right?

 

OP Good write up, I like how you went over what the negative people would say right off the bat and they were still negative. Some even picked out the bits like the oiled filter must add power etc. While it has been tested that using a stock oiled filter such as a K&N can at times be a hp loss to the degree of 1 or 3 your paying for something that works nearly the same but will last longer over time and prevent you from buying 5-8 paper ones which in itself will save you in the long run. The TRD Intake I would sum up is less restrictive and the intake air temps I would assume are cooler which is where the difference in feel and throttle comes from. I agree it's a bit overpriced 250.00 or so would have been a hair high but it would have sold more most likely, some of the AFE ones are just over engineered, your throttle body is only so big, you could have 10 snorkels feeding it air and it wouldn't make any more of a difference.

 

Thanks for your time doing this awesome post !!!
I’m thinking to order the Kit as well.
I mounted MBPR Cat Back single pipe system and pretty happy with it and want to see what kind of difference will be with the kit as well !!!
If you install it by yourself , does your factory warranty of the vehicle is valid after that ?

 

This mod won't impact your factory warranty, even if you install it yourself, unless you break something in the process and expect Toyota to fix that under warranty.

This is a very simple mod, it would be hard to do it wrong, it doesn't affect vehicle operation or durability, it's a Toyota part, and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act puts the burden of proof on the dealer to show that a modification caused a problem and deny warranty for the repair.

 

Any body can help with from where is the best place to buy it ? I’ve bent looking around and some places shows 120$ less than others and can’t get decision which one is legit ...

 

Page 5 of this very thread...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-intake-review-2016.469911/page-5#post-14467807

 

Can anyone provide a part number for the TRD intake for the 2018? I have been trying numerous sights and they say it may not fit my vehicle. I’m sure it’ll still fit but I don’t want to risk it...so just wondering if there is a specific part number.

 

It’s the same part, and 2018 models are listed on the TRD website under compatable vehicles.


https://www.trdusa.com/parts-detail.html?p=PTR03-35160

 

Do you still like this intake or do you think if done over would have gone aftermarket?

 

I installed my TRD intake and exhaust about a year ago and definitely worth it to me. I got both for about 60% savings and not sure I would've paid full price. I never tried any other intake but did try a magnaflow before the TRD exhaust and I like the TRD way better for both performance and sound. I have always felt that this setup compliments the truck well and the throttle response is better with it. Now with the transmission update I feel it even improved. I think most intake systems out there will help though. My biggest reason to stick TRD is carb legal here in California and also resale value on TRD parts usually is better than aftermarket.

 

Still love it. Still would do the same thing if I did it over again. With my TRD Pro, I wanted to stick with the TRD theme and it's fit the bill with looks, sound, and the extra bit of performance it gives. Wouldn't do it any different the second time around.

 

Absolutely agree with you 100%.

I don’t have a 3rd gen but a 2nd gen. Just added the trd intake and everything fit properly, looks really clean, has that oem plus look. And after driving it for a few days, I def noticed a gain in power/response in the mid to upper range of the power band. I’m also running the trd exhaust as well.

As physics works in engines.. more air, more fuel=more power.

Sure the stock intake is a “cai”, and so is the trd intake. But everyone just talks about sucking in “colder air”.. lol the air coming in between the stock and trd is probably the exact same temperature. Maybe it’s the size of the new intake tube and higher flow of the trd filter that helps bring in more air... lol.

ECU can and will compensate for more or less air, creating more or less power. Think about altitude and air density perhaps?! Lol

Anyways.. my rant is done. It’s physics

I love my trd intake, wouldn’t go back to stock.

 

I believe the TRD intake is a bit more of a CAI as it includes the rubber air accelerator. At least on the 3rd gen version, it makes a seal with the fender so it doesn’t suck any hot air from the engine bay... just air from the fender void. Now how much difference does this make? No idea but physics, right?

 

Sorry to dig up this old post but I thought it should be addressed. The deck plate mod would be tough with the 3rd gen intake box setup. Also, with the TRD intake, you’re actually getting cold air instead of pulling in more hot air from the engine bay that the deck plate mod does. So... it would be a lot more effort to do the deck plate mod on the 3rd gens (as compared to the 1st gen) with poorer performance gains as compared to the TRD intake or some form of it.

 

2nd gen has accelerator as well

Gotta love physics haha!!

 

Does the TRD intake make the engine induction noise louder? That’s all I really want.

Would like to keep an OEM appearance as well.

 

There are a couple videos on the original post with a comparison between stock and TRD. It’s louder and more pronounced but not obnoxious.

 

Just finished a 24 hour round-trip to Florida, third trip of the year. Now have 6K miles on the Taco, with 5K on the TRD intake and cat-back exhaust (also OV Tune flash). With those miles and these mods the truck now drives much better than new. Satisfying performance and appropriate sound especially above 3K RPM. Makes the truck what it should have been stock. We're bonded now. Very satisfied and would do all again.