TRD Cold Air Intake - initial thoughts & review

Think Helmholtz resonator you see on exhausts. Same principle. Basically eliminates unwanted frequencies.

 

That's not entirely true.

 

wut

anyone expecting 20+ hp increase from an air intake on a NA vehicle is going to be disappointed.

Also, the computer/sensor do not control temperature. Not sure where you got that from. The ECU simply adjusts timing based on many factors, including air intake temps.

Engines that gauge timing and fuel from a MAF base the calculation off voltage received from the sensor based on air flow and the calculated circumference of the intake tube that the MAF is located in. Changed the circumference and you will need a tune as you're throwing off the ECU's table of values. So some intakes for other cars (think mustang) include tuner/CAI packages that will see more gains vs an intake only.

However, any increase in air velocity and volume is usually beneficial to an engine, especially as cool of an air charge as possible.

 

bolt ons are usually pretty useless without a tune on most cars.

 

Thank you. "Helmholtz" has given me some new reading material!

 

Why didn't they just make the fake scoop real and point the CAI at it instead of the fender...?

 

Because that disrupts the air flow through the grill to the radiator; also ram air intakes on regular cars are worthless.

 

FYI for anybody that hasn't read the write up on the other thread... you can buy the $23 'air accelerator' peice from the TRD intake assembly seperate along with an oiled air filter and your stock intake will essentially accomplish the same thing for around $75.

 

So I'm curious how it's 2018 and there's still so much hearsay and conjecture around the performance gains of intakes/exhausts. Are there no solid numbers anywhere?

 

I like the TRD intake kit, but not sure about using the oiled filter? would using the dry OEM paper filter defeats the whole purpose of installing the kit? or would you still get some benefits?
thank you,

 

That's a price I would swing lol Got any part numbers? could also maybe seal the part that goes into the fender better?

 

A true CAI will benefit the engine in one way. It will feed the engine cooler air, which will keep the computer for cutting the timing. If you think you will feel it at the seat of your pants.....you will be disappointed.
I'm new to the 3rd Gen. Tacoma's, but I'm not knew at performance cars. My air box (2017 OR) seems to be sealed from the engine bay heat. As far as the straighter shot of the box to the engine.....I don't really see a problem. If you were shifting at 7 or 8k you might get a benefit of a straighter line, but I have never made that redline in mine.
If you actually want some seat of the pants HP, simply invest in a performance tune. By the time you buy all the bolt-ons you would have been able to pay for the tune.
The size of the paper filter to the size of this engine is adequate. Besides a paper filter will clean better than the oil ones.
Some of this will change if you are running 12" wrinkle-walls and shifting at 8k, but you can not get real HP with out spending real money, and replacing something that the vehicle already has with something else doesn't always pay with a lot of HP.
Bolt ons do not impress me much. It's your money, but most the time you will go faster only because your wallet is lighter.
I have a 640 HP, cammed 08 Z06. I have a CAI because it did not come with one, I have headers, head work, and all the other goodies, because I have a lot of horses to feed, but at 280Hp I wouldn't worry too much about running out of air, or getting the air out.

 

Okay so I spent the coin and got one of these TRD CAI. Local dealer had them discounted to $361.60 which sealed the deal for me. Also picked up an OEM bed mat for $81.90 while I was at it.

Installed this afternoon and it took about 2 hours as I went slow. Nothing really hard about the install except fitting the rubber parts together which took some grunting and groaning and a few choice expletives. No codes and the truck so far is running great. Took it on a 7 mile test drive and I climbed all over it in ECT whenever I had some free road ahead. Mileage for the little test drive was 22.1 despite a bit of heavy throttle. The last tank I filled up this morning before install was 21.8 for the entire tank full which is up from winter driving. Time will tell if there is any real long term MPG gains. As to power, can't really tell in this short run. Sound... I don't hear much difference unless I really climb on the throttle, so no worries about excess noise just doing normal driving. I'm happy with it.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what did the dealer charge to install a CAI and exhaust?

 

How does the TRD CAI lower the intake air temp? I looked at my stock intake and the intake air comes in from the same left fender as the TRD CAI would.

 

I have looked at the factory intake and the air is coming from the same place in the left fender well as the TRD CAI would. I just don't see how the TRD CAI could lower the intake air temp.

 

It doesn't.

 

Your OME intake is a CAI if you look in the air box you will see that the intake air is coming from the right fender well just the same as the TRD CAI is and it came from the factory that way! All you need to do is add a K&N air filter for more air flow.

 

If you install the TRD intake yourself, does this void your warranty with Toyota or the dealership?

 

I looked at the TRD CAI and decided to just put a K&N filter, only cost me $45.00. If you look at the stock OME CAI that is already on the Taco you will see that the air comes from the same right fender well as the TRD CAI would. So I couldn't see how the TRD CAI could cool the intake air anymore that the stock OME would. I have a scan gauge and it shows the intake air is only about 7 degrees cooler than the outside air. I don't think the TRD CAI would do any better, I guess if you like the look of the TRD CAI on the engine, that's OK but I save my money for something else. I am still considering the TRD cat back exhaust.