KN Cold Air Intake Questions

So i've been looking to add a CAI to my taco. Issue is deciding which variant. Of the 4 options KN has for the 2023 Tacoma 3.5L, I wanted advice as to which to lean towards. They all seem a bit different but only in slight comparison. 2 are poly urethane manifold tubes one with oil the other is a dry filter. Then the other 2 options are both a dry and oil filter except with an aluminum piping. Just wanted to ask for any first hand experience on them and which I should lean towards. I live in new york, use my taco as my commuter and daily driver, so pls take that into account i'm racking 20K miles roughly per year or more on my truck. So I want the best long term but also will add a good noise. Looking to stay with KN, so just want any anecdotal experiences with the CAI's and which might be best fit for me between an oil or dry filter. Also have seen a lot of threads about oil filters contaminating the engine or MAF sensor. Not sure which way to lean considering. Thanks!

 

If you want noise, I'd go for some aftermarket exhaust instead of messing with your truck's intake. It's already a cold air intake. And yeah, I'd stay away from an oiled filter on a modern rig.

 

They really won't do much for performance but you may get a little more intake noise.

If you do get one I'd get the dry filters. No oil to mess with. Just spray with cleaner, rinse them and then let it dry out.

 

Overall intake is mostly just for a small bit of noise and whatever you thinks looks best under the hood. And if it's mainly noise than an exhaust will be much more noticeable.

Oiled filters work fine but you really do need to be sure to properly clean them out and reoil them correctly to make sure they work properly and oil doesn't get on the MAF or other airflow parts. I run one but I also change it out to a dry filter when going into dusty areas (oiled filters dirty up fast when exposed to lots of dust even compared to dry filters), and I generally wouldn't recommend using an oiled unless you specifically have a reason to because of the extra maintenance/cleaning.

 

I ditched the k&n drop in filter and went back to the paper oem version. Less mess to deal with and the oem actually filters whereas the k&n lets too much debris in.

The stock intake with the TRD catback works just fine and sounds great imo.

 

For everyone mentioning an exhaust I have an MBRP Exhaust already installed, was looking to add a bit of extra engine noise or performance. Seeing you guys are saying it won't do much for that, if that's the case is it even worth it? Any other mods or additions around the 400-500 range I could add to possibly add a bit to the truck either performance or sound wise to compliment the exhaust? Mostly was looking for that cool whir from the CAI on the engine but could look for other solutions.

 

Also wanted to thank you guys for the replies, def helps. I usually consult my one buddy who works on trucks but he recommended the oil filter because he's never heard of a blocked MAF sensor but i've seen enough threads on here to know it's a lingering problem for few.

 

These are my favorite

https://afepower.com/afe-power-56-70012r-takeda-momentum-pro-5r-cold-air-intake-system

You can even add a scoop for more fresh air.

 

None of them!
1. The 3rd Gen Tacoma uses the same air filter that the V8 Tundra in an enclosed cold air intake box.
2. None of the K&N intakes have an enclosed air box therefore you will have under hood heated air going into the engine which is much less efficient.
3. Quality aftermarket enclosed cold air intakes are , S&B, Toyota TRD in no order.

 

Like everyone else has said, most CAI's for this truck are worse than stock for performance. I opted to clean up the bay with the K&N JR + the TRD Accelerator. With that installed, the truck for sure shifts smoother and has better throttle response, but any power or mpg increase is negligible. I don't hate K&N filters like some of the other users do, but whatever you choose to do should be fine so long as it keeps an airbox. The stock setup is not power-restrictive at all.

My post: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drizzohs-21-off-road-build.748190/page-6#post-27527360

 

You'd have to buy the filter, maintain it, and pay me by the mile to use an oiled cotton gauze filter..

 

There was a guy on here last year? with a K&N filter on his truck who had a whole ton of fine dust get past the filter and into his engine. It wasn’t pretty:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manifold-caked-with-filth.817603/

 

I have been on Toyota oiled filter for 40k miles or so. My MAF sensor readings on paper and oiled are the same.

Use common sense.

 

Dirt bikes: oiled foam air filter
Boats: no air filter at all

I’m guessing a standard mass produced paper air filter is optimal for mall crawlers. Don’t overthink it.

 

Based off what i'm getting in response from everyone im thinking im gonna steer away from KN, maybe go with an AFE or S&B (leaning towards S&B due to better overall experience and reviews from most people) and sticking to a dry filter (less hassle) I take care of my truck myself and do all the handy work so replacing a dry filter is much simple them the oil element which seems overkill for my New York environment anyways. Thanks for the feedback from everyone, main reason moving away from stock is the couple this with my MBRP cat back exhaust for a better sound. I'd be fine running stock if it didn't muffle the sound so much.

 

Mostly speaking, it's personal preference, I just needed to know which direction to go with that preference. Most people won't get it, but to me the tacoma stock (especially the SR5 which is my trim) sounds like a fucking camry..... and the exhaust was great but after breaking it in for about 5K miles i really want to add a little something and this was my route best suited.

 

Go with s&b/afe if you want the nice aggressive sound and a closed system! Like the other guy said kn isn’t fully sealed up and is more likely to intake hot air. And +1 for dry filters, not only do they prevent Maf contamination but they also filter better than oiled filters at the slight cost of airflow. Just keep in mind for s&b the dry filter isn’t cleanable and it cost like 60 dollars to replace, I’m not sure abt afe

 

OP you want more power? Get a tune!

 

Here you go:

$92 aFe POWER Magnum FLOW OE Replacement Air Filter w/Pro DRY S Media for Toyota Tundra 13-21 V8-4.6L/5.7L /Sequoia 14-22 V8-5.7L/Tacoma 16-23 V6-3.5L #31-10247

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I6ZBG22

$30 aFe Power Air Filter Cleaner: 32oz Spray Bottle, Restores Non-Oiled Engine Air Filter Performance, #90-10601

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Y1M9K4
Save your original filter to run whilst the AFE is drying when you clean it every year.

 

K&N's sound cool. Better filtration? Been de-bunked long ago.