Aftermarket air Intake on the new 3.5

You went from lambo to a tacoma?

 

Looks like my pug!

I went through that stupid phase of my life buying a very old lambo just so I could look cool. Then came time to repair it, came to my senses and sold (stuck) it to the next guy. Same with the stingray corvette. Spent 1800 bucks replacing a headlight, 1 fricken headlight!...thats why I laugh on these forums when people complain of "expensive" 200 dollar parts. That same equivalent part for the stingray would have been $800!

2 seater sports cars are a total waste of money. Long live the cheap Japanese trucks.

 

I've been driving with this prototype for a while. Great sound, slightly improved fuel economy and some noticeable performance enhancements. I believe this is the final prototype so it should be heading into production soon

 

On a stock engine, CAIs provide better sound because the stock resonator is deleted. There are some other small gains in the power band due to the different MAF sensor spacing. That's about it. It's a cheaper/easier way to get better sound than a cat-back exhaust system, though.

 

where do you feel the noticeable performance enhancements?

 

throughout the powerband, but definitely more "git up" from a dead stop. Throttle response is a bit quicker and in the higher RPM's the truck definitely pulls harder. I've put roughly 700 miles on this prototype, from 2 to 3 hour drives up to the higher elevations of Northern AZ to my daily commute to and from work, so I've had a chance to see how it runs in most operating conditions. Also something to note. With the factory intake, the best fuel economy I would see with my 285's was 17.5. Now, I'm averaging between 18.5 and 19mpg. While not a huge improvement, an improvement nonetheless.

 

nice! It did the same for my 2011 4x4 DCSB.

Waiting patiently for the 2016 version

 

Definitely worth the wait.

 

NICE!

 

These kinds of factual reviews are the ones you look for in forums full of opinions. What you described is my experience on 8 other vehicles after adding a CAI.

Its too bad your prototype didnt have an air scoop attachment which is an option on the AFE: http://www.amazon.com/aFe-Power-54-...902154&sr=8-3&keywords=afe+power+scoop+tacoma

While we are all waiting for a CAI to come out, a drop in ProDryS filter and ECT power with tranny in sport mode will just have to get you by.

 

semi off topic, but did anyone here install a S/C on a 2nd gen Tacoma? Coming from a corvette, I miss speed....but not the payments.

 

Yeah, I had asked the engineers if they were planning on adding an air scoop, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. That said, this system is working quite well. They've had my truck on the dyno, plus two different prototypes for me to drive around with for a while, and I can say that this version is the best yet. Sadly, I will have to give it back soon and wait for the production units. Just glad that they allowed me to be a part of the R&D on this.

 

Has anyone used this on previous tacomas and did you have any issues with water when raining?

 

My observation is anecdotal, but most of the stuff I have watched on Youtube, the test results I have read, haven't convinced me that a CAI is worth the money.

Toyota used the 5VZ-FE in the Tacomas (94-04) and 4runners (96-02). Here is a youtube video of a guy who went back to the stock box and because he gained 5-10 hp getting rid of his after market cai.

I could really care less about sound, the sound of your truck will not help you get out of a rough spot where torque and power are needed. All the webisodes I have seen where it's just the CAI the performance enhancement is maybe 1-2 hp at best, that is usually at the top end, low end torque and power you loose in power gains.

A lot of the cai's I have seen on here seem to start at around $250 or so, a meth injection kits starts at about $150. If we are talking performance, I'd rather install a meth kit than cai. Better power gains, and more advantages to your engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYBOlsLTZQ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKZdUyoz14

 

the problem with that video is that the 16% difference in humidity is more than enough to prove that the cold air intake is in fact doing its job quite well. Try dyno testing the car without the cold air intake and at the same humidity as the second test and then you could really say whether it works or not.

I have installed cais of some form or another on everything from scooters to the taco and I can say from personal experience that they universally improved the vehicle. Not once did I feel like I lost power anywhere using a cold air intake, heat and humidity both controlled and in most cases i found gains to be quite significant as far as drivability, power, and engine sound... but hey thats just my .02

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwNtjKT_1cA

 

Good read, just so much to say