Which is better, and Airaid filter, or the stock filter. I don't want to hear about K&N, or any other manufacturer for that matter, because this is what I want to buy- Airaid Intake Tube.
I just want to know, will the Airaid yield better performance, mpg, or will it possibly damage the engine by allowing particles in?
I am going to ask the Toyota Technician, so whatever he thinks goes, But I would like to hear some other opinions.
Also, if Mr. Toyota says to stay with the stock filter, would anyone be interested in the airaid? (filter only, no tube).
Did you even look at the comparison pictures at the bottom? The airaid doesn't have the huge box on it and doesn't have the corrugated section leading to the filter. Take a look yourself to see what I mean. It is also slightly larger and curves more gently to provide better airflow.
Did you even look at the comparison pictures at the bottom? The airaid doesn't have the huge box on it which makes it louder and doesn't have the corrugated section leading to the filter which makes the filter now harder to change because the lid isn't allowed to move . Take a look yourself to see what I mean. It is also slightly larger and curves more gently to provide better airflow. looks like the expensive one has more bends. And it can't be any larger on the ends so there's no real increase in air flow.
Reminds me of the guy that took his 4runner fake ram air hood and added 3 1" hoses and actually decreased the amount of air the engine could pull in.
My question is about the filter, not the tube. If you have anything productive to say about that, fine. My reason for going with this kit in the first place is that a.) The factory tube HAS to be more restrictive. With the corrugated section increasing turbulence and resistance, it's no wonder the smother inside of the airaid tube delivers more air to the engine. When I said the tube was bigger, I don't mean overall because I know that won't do crap. It may be slightly larger on the curved portions to make more room for the air to flow. b.) A K&N system pulls in warm air from the engine compartment, while the stock box is a true CAI. The only place to improve is the tube. c.) Because it is less restrictive, it should boost power and mpg. Just cleaning you TB will yield an increase in power.
The only way you will see any gains is if the engine is starving for air. Their has been vacuum tests done on the stack system and that is not the case. The engine will only take as much air as it needs. You can put bigger and straighter pipe on it until the cows come home.
__________________ At least they have circled the problem.
I wouldn't waste your money on an intake until you get headers on it. The first mod for this truck should be headers followed by everything else. Its the best bang for the buck you can do.
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04 TRD AC 4X4,JBA headers,True Flow intake w/K&N drop-in, Spintech Sportsman Street XL muffler, NGK TR6ix plugs, new Denso 234-4209 o2 sensors,Mobil 1 Syn 0W-40
My question is about the filter, not the tube. If you have anything productive to say about that, fine. My reason for going with this kit in the first place is that a.) The factory tube HAS to be more restrictive. With the corrugated section increasing turbulence and resistance, it's no wonder the smother inside of the airaid tube delivers more air to the engine. When I said the tube was bigger, I don't mean overall because I know that won't do crap. It may be slightly larger on the curved portions to make more room for the air to flow. b.) A K&N system pulls in warm air from the engine compartment, while the stock box is a true CAI. The only place to improve is the tube. c.) Because it is less restrictive, it should boost power and mpg. Just cleaning you TB will yield an increase in power.
So you are saying that the corrugated hose that Toyota put on from the factory is more restrictive than the smooth, one piece design of the aftermarket tube? Dont you think it would cost more money to make the tube that came stock with the truck? Since it has the corrugation and more bends it should cost more to make. So why would Toyota put an intake tube on your truck that was more expensive to make and more restrictive? That makes no sense at all. As far as open type CAI's pulling in "warm air" from the engine, how warm is that air? After all, if you are at wide open throttle, you're not doing that when you are standing still. If you are going to hammer on the gas you're probably going to be pushing a lot of air through the engine compartment as you move forward so that theory may not hold a lot of water. As far as the filter goes, why dont you hold it up to a K&N and compare for yourself. From the pictures they look exactly the same to me so are you sure there is even any difference between the 2? Like everyone else here has said, sounds like you already made your mind up anyway. Good luck with your $150 air filter.
Last edited by cheapskate; 07-14-2009 at 02:42 PM.
. So why would Toyota put an intake tube on your truck that was more expensive to make and more restrictive? That makes no sense at all.
The corrugated section is really just to allow minor engine movement since the airbox is bolted to the body and engine will move side-to-side under load (accel/deccel). When a MFGR builds a car they don't invest to squeeze every HP out, they invest to build something that will last.
My unsolicited $0.02 on intakes: For whatever mpg a manufacturer claims to have increased by modifying the intake with "high flow" components, the sound everyone loves to hear at or near WOT negates every last one. So buying a performance product based on mpg never made sense to me. If you're looking to increase mpgs, check tire pressure every month and keep your truck stock, don't carry unnecessary items, and actually clean-out/replace your filter when you're supposed to.
AiraidJr:
This thing costs $146 and I guarantee any <$100 made in china intake from ebay that replaces the oem airbox will make more power. This retains the airbox so it's not going to give any heartier rumble, make any power, and the inlet pipe is still black which absorbs instead of reflects heat. I don't see what you get for $146. $146 buys a lot gas. I do think it looks pretty tough though.
Only reason to buy an intake IMO:
1. Because they (can) look cool and sound cool + a four-tenths % hp increase.
2. or because it's one part to a laundry list of other performance upgrades planned that require more airflow to make good power.
b.) A K&N system pulls in warm air from the engine compartment, while the stock box is a true CAI.
I'm not 100% sure here, but I think the recommendations for K&N are for their drop-in replacement panel filters. Which retains the "true CAI" you mentioned you wanted to keep. They're like $50
Stock vs. "Performance" filter
At least they have circled the problem.
Linear Mode
