charcoal filter removal

So I finally decided to take off the charcoal filter from my air intake. Once I had it off I did a non-scientific simple test. First I blew into it (mouth) to see how much air would go out the other side. I could tell right away it was restricted (how much???) So I decided to do a test.
First I put a blow dryer (cold) up to the filter to see how much air would come out the other side. I put my hand behind it and see how much air I felt. Then I would remove the filter same distance and see how much air I would feel. (less air flow with filter) Then I attached a piece of paper to the charcoal filter. repeated the same test with the blow-dryer. The charcoal filter definitely restricts airflow how much unknown?? (but it does) but to my conclusion I felt an air restriction when I put my hand behind the filter. and also when I use the paper test. look at the pictures with the filter the paper gets pushed up about an inch. When I remove the filter paper gets pushed up all the way. Did my best to take some pictures to illustrate but once again this is a non-scientific point of view... to my conclusion it doesn't hurt but it definitely restricts air intake some what... I'm sure if you cranked up the air it would go through... my blow dryer was set on high...reset my ecu and see if mpg improve any? but i did feel a lil better throttle response. than before...well see if its a placebo effect or not....btw 2019 2.7l engine

 

Of course it is going to restrict flow, but the engineers have flow tested with more high tech equipment than a hair dryer and a paper towel. You should expect restriction as you are now placing an object, designed to filter, in the path of flow.
The results of this test are not surprising. The question is, what is the point? Are you going to run without the charcoal filter and see how the truck reacts. I would suspect you need a dyno test to see a difference.
The engine was tested and tuned with the filter in place, and maybe letting it flow a little more would change things, but how much of a change and at what cost to the long term lifespan?

 

I wanted to see if I would improve airflow and maybe got more miles per gallon... since this is a topic that's been covered here before... as far as damage to the vehicle... removing the charcoal filter its just environmental. You would get a similar effect if you removed OEM stock air intake and put an aftermarket that doesn't have a charcoal filter....besides this was a test to see if in future ill install a k&n airintake system or volant...etc

 

Does the TRD CAI have the same charcoal filter? I have pulled them before, no out this Tacoma yet, with no ill effects at least while I owned the vehicle.

 

btw...inner view of airbox

1st pic looking down lower air box hole
2nd pic looking up (fender) tube hole

 

I think it was engineering explained that did a test on these charcoal filters on youtube to see how they effect flow and I believe he used a dyno. Granted the vehicle he used was a Subaru but when taking it out, the graphs showed a small improvement in power and his 0-60 runs improved slightly.

Different vehicle so the change could mean nothing on this truck but it was a good watch.

 

Yo that’s a bad ass blow dryer what model is that


This has been covered hard AF in another thread. I’ve concluded the mystery gains aren’t worth the time taken to remove the thing.

 

Look up airbox resonance.

 

Unless you’re planning on forced induction, there is no need to worry about how much air your box will allow. The stock air box allows more air than the engine will ever be able to breathe as naturally aspirated.

Now if you slap a disco potato on that thing, throw out the airbox and all associated piping.

 

lol....what the F.... is a disco potato

 

Garrett GT2860 turbo. Nicknamed disco potato for the ca r it was originally stuck in. B15 Sentra that was hideous orange, hence the disco, and potato either said to be the silhouette of the car, or the compressor map for the turbo. Both are accurate.

Anyways, it would be a great turbo for your truck, well that and a piggyback ECU, or a stand-alone if you’re a boss.

Whatever, go buy a disco potato, and turbo that bad boy. I feel like a good turbo build thread is needed here.

 

I'm with you.. Probably better than a CAI?

 

Our trucks come with a cai