Cold Air Intake- Worth it?

Debating on putting a cold air intake system on my 2009 Tacoma. It has 82k Miles. Currently has flowmaster exhaust.

My questions
- In general is it worth the investment?
- Should I expect an increase/decrease in gas mileage?

Thanks!

 

Search is your friend, this has been talked about way-way much. You'll get responses from both sides, for both questions. Try to wade through the respnses for who has actually made the mod(s) and has experience vs. those spouting what they've read.

IMO, if "worth" is defined according to your questions, it depends,,, if intake noise is what you're after, or if a few HP at the high rpm range is what you're after, or if the "looks cool" is what you're after, might be worth it. From an mpg perspective, I've had a home-brew intake, a stock+aFe drop-in, an aFe Stage II SI, and a URD, and have seen no mpg gains/losses that I can't equate to driving pattern, not air intake, for any of the above. Note that I did get some 0-60/1/4 time improvement from both the aFe Stage II and the URD, nothing for the others. No dynos though (too cheap, don't care much for dyno data, want something that equates to performance I can see on the street).

 

Thanks for the feedback. I did end up searching right after I posted this and found a lot of other threads regarding the issue.

Another question- what about fuel injector cleaner, specifically

$25 BG 44k Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG 44k. I have heard both sides of the argument for this stuff, wondering if anyone here has any opinions..

 

Redline Fuel system cleaner.

One of the best.

 

Like Seafoam myself, as I can use it in fuel injected engines and carb'd engines, and works as a fuel stabilizer. One product that I use for truck/car, lawn equip, generators and motorcycle for cleaning injectors/jets and as a long-term storage stabilizer.

 

Butt Dyno say its a bit peppier at Higher RPM's.....and it really makes the S/C'er screeeeeam....aFe CAI Stage 2 SI....

 

I recently ran the Royal Purple fuel cleaner (About $16 from NAPA, bought it on a whim really with a few positive reviews from a few friends) in my 02. It seems to work better than the standard ole Lucas Oil one lol but then again Im not a mechanic

Im truly interested in the cold air intakes, I know this subject has been beat to death time and time again and is something that it appears everyone has an opinion on. I would think that every application on every Tacoma is different based off model and owner's driving style / installed mods. Ive been looking into K&N because it so well known in the aftermarket world. Also been looking at Spectre as a cheaper alternative to the K&N, but then I hear all these others and my mind is like Wtf? What are you doing to me.

I guess my question here is, does the intake itself make a noticeable difference or is the mod itself more of a sound/cosmetic add?

Thanks,
BU

 

From what I've read on most threads is our systems are already cold air and not really worth it.

 

I wouldnt consider my 02's stock intake to be any sort of cold air intake at all. Hell the filter itself is inside a box. To me that doesnt make sense but I do know alot of R&D goes into developing a vehicle and for good reason but with multiple generations of the same vehicle its hard to really get a straight answer on the mod itself I guess.

 

I just bought one. I will let you know. Only other mods are the Thorley Long Tubes, Off-Road Y pipe from URD, and URD stainless back with Maggy Muff. URD Map sensor is last and final. With what it has now it pulls more at WOT high RPM. Outran a one year old GMC Sierra V8 the other day with Seafoam in the tank. I love the stuff too even after running out of royal purple. I'm running it ALL the time in my boat.

 

The overall opinion I seem to get from everyone is that CAI is completely more sound and cosmetic, but does minimal for performance.

 

Great sound...cool looks...and some minimal performance.....whats not to like...!

 

Seems legit to me

 

Take a look at the Torspd NA threads for dyno stuff. I'm just putting it on because I've put on the headers and exaust for the hot side. Now I'm putting the cold side with the URD maf cal in between. My exhaust was about 1300 shipped and the gains were noticeable in the high RPM. It sounds great to me except for rasp, but oh well. The AFE seems to have the highest torque gains on dyno testing so I went with that CAI. Just keep researching this site, you are in the website for the answers.

 

^^^^^Yup...^^^^