Custom Volant/aFe/K&N Cold Air Intake with Ram Air

I first started with a aftermarket k&n kit and it fit well and the intake sounds were music to my ears for a first stage 1 mod on my Tacoma. It has worked perfect on my round trips to Pennsylvania and back but before Christmas it developed a vacuum leak on the connection to the throttle body.

So I upgraded to a brand name K&N kit with a better roto-molded tube. I called this CAI v2.5 as a soft upgrade that performed slightly better but there was more open air coming from the engine bay from a worse fitting heat shield. I eventually fitted a TB spacer for fun sounds for a while (vacuum leaked disguised as fun sounds) But one mistake leaving a worm clamp slightly loose on an hour trip to dinner lead to some MAF codes from running the engine to lean because the filter fell off. Should’ve noticed this from a rough and low idle at times. With the hotter air and not trusting my Jerry rigged tube I wanted a full on upgrade that combines the best worlds a CAI should be

I started with a Volant closed air box with a ram air scoop. The air box is an amazing fit as well as the ram air. Functions and performs as it should. However the intake tube was a poor fit that required modifications on the vent hose. As well as a bad spot for the MAF making the engine cover not fitting back on properly. Something the previous intakes did not cause.

In addition to the Volant I combined it with the aFe Magnum Force intake tube with minor modifications to only the Volant air box.

I have a TRD Intake Accelerator (PTR03-35090-AC) attached to the air box which fits perfectly no modifications made. There are two spots open for bolts to go from where your stock intake was and is secure enough. There is a spot for the third bolt but I’ve never had to remove this prior so it is seized on there so no bother.

If you do not have the spare bolts from the stock air box or a previous custom intake the bolts you need are (91631-G0830) or any spare bolts in the garage is fine

I am using a K&N RG-1001RD for better flow and quality. Parts from the aFe kit work well at attaching it.


Your MAF, fuel pressure regulator hose, and exhaust vent hose will fit the aFe perfectly.



The Volant ram air will fit into the air box snugly and is a perfect fit on top of the radiator. I did not reuse the clips for the plastic cover that the ram air replaces but used standard Toyota clips (52161-16010) for a very secure fit.


I also used a supporting bracket from the K&N kit that utilizes the stock air box bolt for a more secure intake tube. Also reduces any vibrations. This is just for reference but a work in progress is the spacer adjustment to bolt the passenger side part of the engine cover back into place I’m still working with parts to better tweak it. The dimensions are very off with or without a TB spacer so I’m unsure of the fitment.


Bolt on your finishing touches (more stickers coming later) and you are done. Just a fun project I had in mind and it worked better than expected. Many fun test drives ahead.

 

I noticed the vent tube on my Volant isn't the best fit either, but cutting it shorter let it fit much better. Didn't have any issues with the engine cover but I also have a 4 banger so no engine cover to start with. One note for anyone using the stock Volant air box bolts and having a lowered truck, one of the bolts needs to be cut short as it hits the wheel on hard bumps.

 

Thats what I needed to do originally. I ran it with and without the spacer and it was just too long.

 

Looks good! When I installed my Volant intake, never understood why the SAIS mount is open to the intake box. My SAIS unit is not even plugged in, just for show on my intake. It’s a not even fully seated, so not completely sealed and not an air tight seal. Even the rubber grommets sit loosely in there.



Right now, just removed the SAIS unit and plan sealing all 4 holes shut. I don’t see the need for it to be open and not air tight. I looked at other similar intakes and all of them have the SAIS mounted separately from the box.

Already have the ram scoop and it’s attached to a snorkel.