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TRD CAI worth it?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Oskie_V, Mar 11, 2018.

  1. Oct 2, 2019 at 3:04 PM
    #61
    Black taco.

    Black taco. Well-Known Member

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    Just like MT.
    There will be a lot of guys who don’t have them telling you how much they suck.
    And a few people who actually own them telling you how awesome they are.
     
    MrTacoTostada and Myles G like this.
  2. Oct 6, 2019 at 8:51 AM
    #62
    AMC_Unlimited

    AMC_Unlimited For he is limitless (sometimes)

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    Got the TRD intake at 500 miles and the exhaust at 1000, my truck now has about 20200. I can’t quantify how much better they are over stock or aftermarket.
    I do know they look great on the truck, I know I get slightly better mileage and acceleration, but also use a sprint booster and feed it ethanol free gas exclusively.
     
    MrTacoTostada and MtnFisher like this.
  3. Nov 19, 2019 at 10:02 AM
    #63
    J Gibson

    J Gibson Well-Known Member

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    katzkin leather, toyota step bars, pro grill, advent overhead DVD player, cargo extender, bed mat, husky liners, impulse digital brake controller, avs bugflector, tinted windows, Firestone ride-rite air bags, ARE camper top with tool doors, ScangaugeII, ProEFX tow mirrors, ImMrYo rearview mirror lift bracket, Salex glove box and console organizers, 2020 Tacoma Pro styled wheels, 265/70 r17 Michelin MS2 tires, LED map lights, drivers seat extended and raised, ram ball tech deck installed, blacked out badges, tinted taillights, upgraded climate control knobs, ultimate headlight upgrade with Osram superbrights and wiring harness along wit OEM pro headlight housings.
    I run a scangauge that reads the intake air temperature. The intake temp generally runs about 10 degrees Fahrenheit more than the ambient air temperature as measured by thermometer on my mirror. So ask yourself...does your truck perform better at 75 degrees than it does at 85 degrees?

    So from looking cool or sounding cool perspective maybe...from a performance / efficiency standpoint I can't see it.
     
    TacomaSport86 likes this.
  4. Nov 19, 2019 at 12:30 PM
    #64
    El Latigo

    El Latigo Well-Known Member

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    I've installed both the TRD cat back and the CAI intake.. I honestly did not feel any difference in power or gas millage.. Perhaps the gains are too small to feel them, a Dyno test would probably be more accurate to measure the gains if any..
    Some people (not me) like the fact that they don't need to by an air filter every time it gets dirty, the TRD air filter that comes with the CAI is washable and reusable. I don't like that, and although i have the CAI TRD intake i put the OEM air filter back..
     
    Hooper89 likes this.
  5. Nov 19, 2019 at 1:04 PM
    #65
    CLVol1255

    CLVol1255 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 8112/8100 ICON RXT Stage 2 JBA UCAs Archive Garage HH w Shackles Archive Garage U Bolt Flip kit Nitto Ridge Grapplers 255/80/R17 TRD Front Skid and RCI Transmission Skid Kenwood DMX 1057XR Head Unit Focal Utopia WM 3 way plus WM10 Sub Mosconi 5/30 and Genesis Dual Mono Amp
    I installed my trd cai last week and though it’s not extreme. I do notice better gas pedal response and a nice deep roar underneath the hood when accelerating onto the interstate or highway. I’m very happy with my decision. I haven’t noticed much of a mpg gain if any at all but I definitely haven’t lost any mpg.

    in the near future I’ll be upgrading the exhaust to the trd but their are probably some other mods I’ll do first. Hope this helps op 249C5C2E-3D82-4F80-B5B3-F380088B9CC4.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2019
  6. Nov 21, 2019 at 1:55 AM
    #66
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Bilsteins 5100s on the top setting, 4runner Gray TRD Pro Sema wheels, 285/70/17 Toyo AT3s, Sumo Bump stops, TRD exhaust, ECGS Clamshell bushing, 1/4 shim for the lean and one inch rear block, OEM Pro grill and garnish OEM TRD Skid plate, TRD CAI, Demon Brackets, Rigid Industries Pro fog lights, OEM Trail Rails sidebars, Diode Dynamics LED SL1 high and low beam lights, OEM Roof racks, Clazzio leather heated seats, Remote Start, TRD Pro shift knob, tinted windows, Rockford Fosgate 4 channel amp for the headunit and sub and amp combo, OEM Puddle lights, OEM tailgate lock, OEM bed mat, LED interior lights, OEM blackout kit for letters, JLT catch can, upgraded 27F toyota True Start battery, Vleds led tail light kit with Pro tail lights, OEM Rave4 side mirrors with convex spotters,just to name a few mods.
    I did both and very happy I did. The exhaust combined with the CAI is a great combo. Love the tone and when you need to go wot it sounds awesome for a V6. Do it ,thank me later.
     
    xaircav likes this.
  7. Sep 11, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #67
    djgynee

    djgynee Well-Known Member

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    absolutely not true.
    Neither. A small gain in sound volume after 3500rpm. I gave an honest review here on it and I spent the $350 from the dealer. I wish that statement was true. I want it to be true. It just isn’t.
     
    G8R_Taco and shakerhood like this.
  8. Sep 11, 2020 at 8:30 PM
    #68
    Itchyfeet

    Itchyfeet Well-Known Member

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    I bought one and I don't notice a thing. I only like it because i'm a poser
     
    FarmerTed1971, shakerhood and djgynee like this.
  9. Sep 11, 2020 at 10:18 PM
    #69
    SoCal TacoOR

    SoCal TacoOR Life at Redline

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    E5CD6E56-27AE-49A3-828A-0A8D4DF25ED2.jpg The TRD CAI is as functional as the hood scoop on the Sport. Looks good...I have the CAI, but that’s about it.
     
  10. Nov 16, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #70
    tedusmc1345

    tedusmc1345 Well-Known Member

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    I just got Trd intake installed. The truck did have much better throttle responses. But No mpg increase.
     
  11. Jun 17, 2021 at 11:39 AM
    #71
    MrTacoTostada

    MrTacoTostada Member

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    Exactly. I felt my 2019 TRD Off-road needed just a little bit more air. After installing the TRD CAI it improved throttle response, mid-range rpm horsepower, and overall gas mileage. If you are expecting it to act like a turbo or super charger, obviously you will be disappointed. I found it also helped when I needed to pass other cars or accelerate up a hill.

    I'm sure the Injen CAI performs even better with the air scoop above the grill, but I needed one that was CARB compliant in California, and the TRD version is the only one that is CARB compliant, so I bought that one. I think it works as it should. Nothing miraculous, and some performance improvements. Better than the stock one that came with the truck.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2021
  12. Jun 18, 2021 at 2:29 AM
    #72
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Bilsteins 5100s on the top setting, 4runner Gray TRD Pro Sema wheels, 285/70/17 Toyo AT3s, Sumo Bump stops, TRD exhaust, ECGS Clamshell bushing, 1/4 shim for the lean and one inch rear block, OEM Pro grill and garnish OEM TRD Skid plate, TRD CAI, Demon Brackets, Rigid Industries Pro fog lights, OEM Trail Rails sidebars, Diode Dynamics LED SL1 high and low beam lights, OEM Roof racks, Clazzio leather heated seats, Remote Start, TRD Pro shift knob, tinted windows, Rockford Fosgate 4 channel amp for the headunit and sub and amp combo, OEM Puddle lights, OEM tailgate lock, OEM bed mat, LED interior lights, OEM blackout kit for letters, JLT catch can, upgraded 27F toyota True Start battery, Vleds led tail light kit with Pro tail lights, OEM Rave4 side mirrors with convex spotters,just to name a few mods.
    I'm now on the KDMAX 6.0 tune and its amazing. Maybe the tune likes the CAI and exhaust. I'm getting about 19 in town and took a trip last week. I was getting 24 to 25 on the road and I had my foot in in some.
     
  13. Jun 18, 2021 at 6:00 AM
    #73
    2020_TRD_OR

    2020_TRD_OR Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6100s & 5160s Wheeler's Super Bump Stops Wheeler's AAL SPC UCAs Sway Bar Relocation Kit RCI Front Skid Plate
    The only good thing about a cai is having a manual and sitting at traffic lights while pumping the Gas in neutral.

    Then you get to hear that sweet thwump
     
    Dieseldan9 likes this.
  14. Jun 18, 2021 at 6:49 AM
    #74
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Your trd intake improved gas mileage? Not a chance sir.
     
  15. Jun 18, 2021 at 7:12 AM
    #75
    Itchyfeet

    Itchyfeet Well-Known Member

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    Unless you have an LS or a Coyote nothing really sounds great about a rapped out 3.5.
     
  16. Jun 18, 2021 at 9:47 AM
    #76
    2020_TRD_OR

    2020_TRD_OR Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6100s & 5160s Wheeler's Super Bump Stops Wheeler's AAL SPC UCAs Sway Bar Relocation Kit RCI Front Skid Plate
    What is an LS and what is a Coyote.... I am intriged
     
  17. Jun 18, 2021 at 10:40 AM
    #77
    MrTacoTostada

    MrTacoTostada Member

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    After the TRD CAI install, on freeway trips my mpg improved 1 to 2 gallons. Sorry if yours didn't.
    2019 TRD Off-Road V6.
     
  18. Jun 18, 2021 at 10:47 AM
    #78
    MrTacoTostada

    MrTacoTostada Member

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    That's what I believe too. Toss in those whose didn't know how to install them correctly as well.
     
  19. Jun 18, 2021 at 10:50 AM
    #79
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Sorry, but it’s impossible for trd intake to Improve MPGs. It’s probably the warmer temps or other factors.

    Toyota included “Atkinson cycle” in the 3.5 to squeeze out 1 maybe 2 MPGs. Don’t you think all Tacoma’s would’ve came with trd intake if it improved the fuel mileage by 2 MPGs?

    It’s physically impossible for trd intake to increase gas mileage. Air box is the same right. Also the stock air box is same size as 5.7 tundra, so the taco gets plenty of air.

    I don’t mean to rain on your parade by the way.
     
  20. Jun 18, 2021 at 10:58 AM
    #80
    MrTacoTostada

    MrTacoTostada Member

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    Well regardless of your logical reasoning, it's what I experienced after upgrading. Whether a person installs the TRD CAI or not is up to them, or whatever CAI they want to buy and install is street legal in their state. I'm just reporting what I've experiences with my TRD CAI, which is the whole reason for posting. I don't sell them or make any profit off them.
     
    VaToy and Junkhead[QUOTED] like this.

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