Go back to factory air intake?

When I bought my truck 4 years ago, it already had a K&N CAI installed on it. I've been told that this may actually be detrimental to the performance of the engine vs the stock setup since it's drawing air from the engine bay instead of the wheel well. I also have the OTT tune and my tuner pretty much told me the same thing. He also said the placement of the MAF on the K&N has an effect also. Is it worth it to pay the $450 for a complete brand-new OEM air intake setup? Would I have to relocate the air pump back to it's factory location? I'm willing to do it if it will be better for the engine and performance of the truck. Thanks.

 

No need for a brand new one - used is fine. car-part.com or your local pick and pull.

Yes, it will absolutely be better for the truck. If you want to do something non-stock for the hell of it, consider https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cowl-induction-snorkel.525314/

 

Cool, thanks. I'll see if I can source one.

 

My snorkel was like $170.

it allows water crossing and jettisons dirt via the Syklone that moves suction above dust and away from the dirty wheel well. And also sucks in cold air.

things the stock air intake does not do.

 

Just to clarify, I'm not interested in going the snorkel route. I just want to go back to a wheel well intake.