Volant Intake, MILEAGE & PERFORMANCE, My opinion

Leathernuts · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2004, 10:44 AM

I know we have all been through this, yes they work, no they don't and all you get is great sound....blah blah blah. Well I had an opportunity to get a Volant for $100- used of course, but I figured I can't go wrong for that amount- right? So here is my review:

First off, prior to install on a stock set up with a trd filter, I checked my mileage and got 16.89 mpg

. I was happy. I do a good mix of hog-way and street driving fyi. Keep in mind this was one take off prior to getting the intake. So, the following week got the intake and the truck ran like sh!t, but more on this in a second, let me finish on the mileage. I hung in there and kept reviewing my mileage. In the begining it dropped! I was like WTF? Then I thought, heavy foot to hear the new sound-ahhhhh. Checked agian on a tank I was extra light on and barely got 16 mpg. Again keep in mind, computer is still adjusting. Checked again and a slight increase, but nothing to post TS about. Then today, I checked and I got 17.52. Now that's what I'm screaming

Oh yeah, if you don't know me, I roll on 315's (35's). So not too bad on the mileage- of course that's my opinion.

Now for performance. Again I was scared and in no way would I have spent full retail prior to knowing how it was going to run after all the bad post on intakes in general. So I got it and got the sound which I expected. Drove it and performance was no different except for slight hesitation and I had to floor it to get it to down shift. Next day I reset the computer and for the first 50 miles ran great but started the hesitation and got worse. I was thinking, " BIG MISTAKE". Glad I saved the stock. Then got on TS, asked some opinions and was getting feedback that they are all pieces of dung and so forth (this was mainly directed at the K & N though and I believe the earlier production models), and that I needed the Unichip in order to benefit from this mod. Checked the price on the Unichip and thought to myself, not no, but HELL F*$! NO!!! Too much has already been put into this truck. Then there was a light. Really it was two (2) opinions. One was from TMS2U and another I can't remember. TMS2U advised the computer takes a while to adjust the new air to fuel ratio and the truck would run like that for awhile. The other was on a thread saying that maybe people just don't give these intakes long enough time and judge them prematurely. I almost fell into that category. I was ready to take it off in the first few days untill I read these two post. I then decided to hang in there for a bit and see what happens. Again the first week was rough. I was praying I wasn't ruining my truck

2nd week things started to get better and I noticed a change. And by the end of the two weeks approxiamately, my truck was running better then B.I. (before intake) Needless to say, I am very happy with it now. For one, my truck has a big block sound now. I would definetly disagree about the new added power not being usable unless you live in no mans land and never have to accelerate. It is very usable and keep in mind, I'm not saying my truck is super truck now and can outrun a vett. It's just added power I can actually feel and I don't need a dyno to tell me my money gave me some extra HP's. I dont know the exact number and could care less. Also, the truck is more responsive and under normal driving conditions, light to moderate acceleration, the engine feels like its not working as hard. One other thing, about 4 days A.I., I added a Spin- Tech muffler in case you were wondering if I had any other mods as far as the engine goes, nothing to glamerous. I just wanted to share my experience thus far with the intake in case any one else has been considering one. Remember, this has been my experience and your's could differ, but if you get one- give it chance.

TMS2U · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2004, 11:04 AM

wish I got 17mpg

healey858 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2004, 12:43 PM

thanx for the input. i have been contemplating getting the Volant Intake for a while, and initially decided (after reading all the negative posts) not to waste 300 bucks on something that would hurt my performance. anyways its good to know that someone actually saw some positive effects. so you said you had to wait about 2 weeks after resetting the computer before you saw performance gains? how many miles you think you drove those 2 weeks? 500 or so?

Leathernuts · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2004, 03:50 PM

Well it was close to a 1,000 miles. I drive alot miles

Toasted Coastie · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 09:05 PM

update?

PagalDesi4Life · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 10:37 PM

How do you get 17 mpg with those 35" tires on a 2000 model??

Whats the secret??

Leathernuts · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 09:31 AM

Update huh? Everything still good. About 5 months ago, I had to change the battery. And the same thing happened. IT ran like **** for about a week or so. Because, of course, when I installed the new bat, it reset the computer and it had to re-adjust. I forgot at first and about flipped

I thought what in the heck is wrong now unitll I made the connection. Other than that, it runs fine. Sounds cool too- big block sound when you accelerate. Never had a check engine light or anything. Mileage has remained the same.

I dont have a heavy foot. So thats probaly why I get decent mileage. IT varies from 16- 17. Talk to you guys later

spfx5150 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-18-2006, 08:46 PM

Hello, I am new to TS, But I am taking this Volant leap as well, Do I need to reset my computer, Or will it do it on it's own?, I have a 2002 tacoma 3.4, And thanks for taking the time to write your reveiw, fx5150

spfx5150 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-18-2006, 08:51 PM

And if I do need to Reset, How? Thanks spfx5150

STEALTHSR5 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-18-2006, 10:52 PM

16-17 mpg!!! with 35's!!! I don't know man. I was getting 16-17 on my stock tires, with a light foot, 50/50 city and highway and about 19-20 all highway. Now with 35's, I have a hard time hitting 11 with an extremely light foot. What's the secret? gears?

IStan · #11 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spfx5150

And if I do need to Reset, How? Thanks spfx5150

Disconnect the battery for like 20 minutes or so.

IStan · #12 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHSR5

Now with 35's, I have a hard time hitting 11 with an extremely light foot. What's the secret? gears?

11?

33's will do me for a long time

Bigger Tires = Less MPG
Smaller Tires=More MPG?
If I put some tires off a civic, will my gas mileage improve?

STEALTHSR5 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IStan

11?

33's will do me for a long time

Bigger Tires = Less MPG
Smaller Tires=More MPG?
If I put some tires off a civic, will my gas mileage improve?

If you run civic tires and do mostly city driving, then yes your gas mileage will improve, as it takes less to turn those little things from stop. But if you do mostly highway driving, then it would hurt your mpg, as you'll be at a higher rpm at higher speeds.

Leathernuts · #14 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 10:29 AM

I know its hard to believe, but I swear, I consistently get 16 - 17 mpg on my 35's!!! My speedo is dead on, so there are no miscalcs here

jorkep · #15 (**permalink**) 08-03-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leathernuts

First off, prior to install on a stock set up with a trd filter, I checked my mileage and got 16.89 mpg

. I was happy. I do a good mix of hog-way and street driving fyi. Keep in mind this was one take off prior to getting the intake. So, the following week got the intake and the truck ran like sh!t, but more on this in a second, let me finish on the mileage. I hung in there and kept reviewing my mileage. In the begining it dropped! I was like WTF? Then I thought, heavy foot to hear the new sound-ahhhhh. Checked agian on a tank I was extra light on and barely got 16 mpg. Again keep in mind, computer is still adjusting. Checked again and a slight increase, but nothing to post TS about. Then today, I checked and I got 17.52. Now that's what I'm screaming

Oh yeah, if you don't know me, I roll on 315's (35's). So not too bad on the mileage- of course that's my opinion.
.

I'm sorry, but I just don't believe these mpg numbers I'm seeing. I have an '01 2wd which came with 305's. The best I ever achieved with that was 13.8. I don't think the truck was calibrated for the tires, so I'll say it was actually about 15.18 all highway which is a 10% adjustment for the tires. I now have 265's on there and the best mpg I have gotten now is 16.5 mpg mostly highway. So, I just don't see how that is in anyway possible to achieve what you've achieve given your setup.