TRD air filter vs paper filter for engine longevity vs performance

Hey, my new TRD OR came with a TRD air filter that I didn't have a choice in the matter. I generally would choose less particles entering the engine through a paper filter vs any slight increase in performance from the TRD filter that lets more air (including particles) in.

Any thoughts one way or another if I should just stick with the TRD filter and clean it in time vs get an OEM paper filter or other reputable paper filter for the increased filtration?

 

I had the TRD CAI on my 16 Taco and never had an issue. It felt like it performed and sounded good. I now have a Tundra and put the TRD filter in it. No regrets, except I need two in the Tundra.

 

The TRD filter was given to me and seems very well constructed. I am a K&N fan and have used them for hundreds of thousands of miles. Never had an engine issue, including five MAF equipped vehicles.

The one thing about the TRD filter, though, is that the filter oil blows. It is impossible to tell if the filter is oiled well enough. I messed it up badly and my right wheel well looks like the Valdez. Thankfully with the size of the Taco airbox, the lid, MAF, and such don't have any residue on them. My big recommendation here would be to stick with the K&N kit for cleaning and oiling the filter.

The TRD oil is garbage.

 

Thanks for the info. I have TRD filters on my 22 Tundra and have not yet changed them. I had only used K&N for cleaning and now I’ll stay with the K&N kit. Thanks again.

 

You're welcome!

I don't know if it is the lack of color (super light yellow), the make up of the oil, or the sprayer that it comes in? I've had both the aerosol and applicator bottle types from K&N. The TRD pump bottle sort of pisses it out instead of any kind of spray. Trying to judge the coverage, even going slow was not possible.

I usually let oiled filters set overnight and daub them before installation. Well, the TRD one marked its territory. Haha! I wiped it off and let it set some more. Still wept quite a bit. Never saw anything like it.

K&N. I can daub off any extra and have no worries on installation. That, and only putting on enough to get color on the pleats seems to be the reasons for success?

 

I keep spare filters, (once washed, dried, and oiled), in a plastic zip bag. Like the one comforters/sheets come in. By the time I need the filter/s, the oil is well soaked in. I wait awhile before putting them in the bag after oiling. My Tundra takes 2 filters, so I’ll be picking up spares down the line. They’re usually good for a lot of miles.

 

That's a good approach. I'm a bit of a cheapass, so I keep the stock paper element and swap it in until oiled filter is ready.


BTW, the person that gave me the filter did so because of the TRD oiling issue that they experienced also.

 

OEM ALL THE WAY!

 

I had a TRD CAI and a Catback on my Tacoma and never had an issue. I now have a 2022 Tundra with the twin turbo V6 which has two air filters I use TRD on both. Never an issue, and since they are an oil coated filter, I believe they work as good as paper but with better performance. Maybe wrong, but that’s my take on it. I’ll stick with TRD.

 

I'm just going to stick with the TRD air filter for now, but when it comes time to clean it I'll just buy an OEM paper filter and shelf the TRD. I'm more into better filtration than slight, if any increase in performance.

 

TRD is made by AFE with the fancy over priced TRD label. I prefer their Prodry filters. No oil needed.