AEM CAI system questions

[mdep03]

Hey all,

I've read alot on this and other forums related to the 4th gen runner (v6) and it seems to be split down the middle on the intake giving better perfrmance or harmful. But the harmful issue most speak of its allowing more dirt into the engine, and also messing with the air feul ratio.
But what do you think of the AEM version:
AEM - Cold Air Induction System | 4WheelParts.com it remains sealed and replaces that ugly accordion looking tube going to the air box, as well as replaces the stock filter with a reusable filter allowing less restriction. It's unlike the k&N in that aspect and more similar to the TRD for alot less money. I'm thinking of purchasing it let me know what you guys think about what I said.

Thanks for reading

 

[mdep03]

bump

Any info would be appreciated

 

[alia176]

If an air filter allows in more air by virtue of less air restriction, then how is it not allowing in more dirt?

I'm curious, does Toyota not have a reuseable air filter for our vehicles? My 80 series landcruiser has a reuseable air filter from Toyota; just wash it, dry it and then stick it back in.

 

[riceandpho]

i would save money and make your own version out of some aluminum pipe. pretty sure you just find someone to weld the peices together after you get the couplers installed.

 

[mdep03]

If an air filter allows in more air by virtue of less air restriction, then how is it not allowing in more dirt?

I'm curious, does Toyota not have a reuseable air filter for our vehicles? My 80 series landcruiser has a reuseable air filter from Toyota; just wash it, dry it and then stick it back in.

Toyota makes one, I dont know if they sell it alone but I know there is a TRD version of the CAI but it's $$$
you do have a point with more air =more dirt , IDK. I have a cone style CAI on my car but then again I dont drive offroad with it.

i would save money and make your own version out of some aluminum pipe. pretty sure you just find someone to weld the peices together after you get the couplers installed.

Thats something I thought of but I like the idea of it having proven gains.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Thats something I thought of but I like the idea of it having proven gains.

(NOTICABLE) proven gains usually occur after ECU tuning, along with modding the whole air flow system (I/H/E). The stock ECU will adjust itself for the change in air density/flow from a CAI to stay within the targeted A/F ratio.

If all you want is the noise, then :thumb:

 

[jfry008]

bump

Any info would be appreciated

Removing the hydrocarbon filter seemed to give me slight increase in throttle response. Here's the link for it: Toyota 4Runner Hydrocarbon filter removal

I removed all the black plastic intake filter housing and tubing, cleaned it all and reinstalled.

I also cleaned the throttle body while I was in there. Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...4th-gen-4-0l-throttle-body-cleaning-pics.html

IMO buying a aftermarket intake would be a waste of money. The stock intake already pulls cold air from the inner fender well.

 

[alia176]

As an engineer, it's hard for me to believe that any filter located in the engine bay is able to suck in fresh, cold air. So, i like that AEM at least uses the oem air box which I believe is sucking in cold, fresh air from the fender well, not sure exactly.

I know that the "too fast, too furious" crowd loves the conical air filter concept and sometimes due to the turbo, intercooler, etc crammed into the engine bay, one has no choice but to use the conicals. However, it's been proven time and time again that filters like K&N and the like introduce more dirt into the intake than a simple paper filter. Maybe it was the BobTheOilGuy is where I saw the study of various air filters in a lab test. I think AC Delco filter did the best, and then it was Wix paper filter. These two filters allowed the least resistance while trapping the most amount of dirt.

Dirt racers use oiled air filters with another outer foam layer if I'm not mistaken. Air filters do a better job when they're a "little" dirty, believe it or not. A super clean filter is not efficient at trapping dirt particles vs a slightly dirty air filter.

Filters like FRAM should be avoided at all costs. This pertains to air and oil filters.

 

[riceandpho]

the only thing i like about the cotton gauze filter is that you are able to clean it after its dirty, and some people get a lot of life out of it. i still have the trueflow xdi intake too, but not using since im also using the afe intake. both are serviceable , i like the foam filter better tho. but it makes more noise at wot since its closer to the windshield. i might just put that back in. filters way better. also aem way makes the truck smog legal in ca, since it didnt remove the carbon filter. here in ca, we have a strict smog law, if the intake dont have a carb exempt sticker, you will fail smog check on the visual part. i still take my intake and return it to stock every smog check.

 

[07V8]

Save your money. The 4R comes with a CAI

 

[mdep03]

so the fact that the AEM has the smooth tubing opposed to the corrogated tube makes no difference your all saying. When you say ecu tuning what company makes a good one for the v6?

 

[07V8]

so the fact that the AEM has the smooth tubing opposed to the corrogated tube makes no difference your all saying. When you say ecu tuning what company makes a good one for the v6?

Dude. Stop trying to spend money on worthless mods. There are no performance enhancements for either engine from a piggyback ECU or smooth bored intake tube standpoint. Stop drinking the coolaid.

Based on the pic you have in your avatar, fix the bro rake before anything else.

 

[mdep03]

Dude. Stop trying to spend money on worthless mods. There are no performance enhancements for either engine from a piggyback ECU or smooth bored intake tube standpoint. Stop drinking the coolaid.

Based on the pic you have in your avatar, fix the bro rake before anything else.

I did fix that with 895e's, thats an old pic. I'm looking for more engine performance, and dont want to hear "get the V8". What would you suggest to increase the horsepower ?

 

[DisguisedRope]

so the fact that the AEM has the smooth tubing opposed to the corrogated tube makes no difference your all saying. When you say ecu tuning what company makes a good one for the v6?

Look into the URD MAF Calibrator

 

[07V8]

I did fix that with 895e's, thats an old pic. I'm looking for more engine performance, and dont want to hear "get the V8". What would you suggest to increase the horsepower ?

Buy a forced induction system. Everything else is useless.

 

[mdep03]

Look into the URD MAF Calibrator

Thanks I'll look into that

Buy a forced induction system. Everything else is useless.

Thats a bit more than I'm looking to spend but thanks.

 

[DisguisedRope]

Buy a forced induction system. Everything else is useless.

I think a lot of people would disagree that anything aside from forced induction is useless. Yes, nothing else is going to net you the same gains as say a supercharger, but you can get modest performance gains over stock with intake, exhaust, and tuning.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I think a lot of people would disagree that anything aside from forced induction is useless. Yes, nothing else is going to net you the same gains as say a supercharger, but you can get modest performance gains over stock with intake, exhaust, and tuning.

Intake, exhaust/headers, tuning. $3k

 

[DisguisedRope]

Intake, exhaust/headers, tuning. $3k

Supercharger and installation and tuning. 6+ k and then add the intake and exhaust to truly take advantage of it, another 3k...stuff adds up.
Gotta pay to play though. Just comes down to how much you want to spend and what you really want in terms of results.

 

[4loco]

Personally, I've never felt the need to get a "better" air intake, BUT I do understand where the OP is coming from and also people who live at high elevation. I live at sea level and when I drove to Colorado...holy crap, I was driving a different vehicle. It was searching for air that wasn't there!! (2009 v6,btw) felt like I had 60% of the power it had at sea level. It made me think "this is why people buy all that useless air intake crap! Desperation!!"

I read on another thread somewhere that the throttle body will always limit the amount of air coming in based on what the engine NEEDS to achieve a proper AF ratio, so trying to get more air into the throttle body where it's going to be choked down anyway is a pointless gesture.

The only time it would make a difference is at wide open throttle. (Who needs to daily drive at wide open throttle???)And like stated before you'd have to upgrade to whole system to get any noticeable performance out of it. Intake, head work, more fuel, free flowing exhaust, etc. and keep it at wide open throttle as much as you can. Think race cars.

To answer your question OP: sorry. It's not going to make a difference :/ there aren't any "proven" gains to be had. And IF there are its at WOT and VERY small. It's a useless part of the powerband for a daily driven vehicle.

I mountain bike a lot and I find weight is the enemy of speed, if you want to feel like your going faster, lose some weight, especially the rotating weight like heavy tires. You can make a heavy bike fast or a light bike slow by the design and weight of the tires/wheels alone!

Edit: another thing that helps underpowered motors move heavy things faster: GEARS!