Cold air intake and cat back exhaust question

[Spielightdude]

Hi everyone,

My boss at work and I disagree in something but for those that have a Cai and cat back exhaust do they really help in terms of mpg and power?
I had a Cai on my old jeep and felt a difference in overall power but it wasn't a newer one and didn't have as much computer stuff for the engine ect.

If it does help I will definitely add it to my build list if not I'll put the plans and money when i have it elsewhere for my 4runner when I get it in Feb of this coming year when my Tundra lease is up.

Thanks everyone

 

[eevanskiteboards]

Yeah I was a skeptic too but eventually got the s&b intake and the Gibson catback and my mile per gallon went up in the ballpark of 8 to 10%. I also have the pedal commander and maybe that helps a little bit I don't know but definitely noticeable with the intake and exhaust. I would definitely do it again, but dealing with some issues with the rattle and the drone sound on the exhaust have been annoying.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[Mudballz]

No change in MPG but throttle response is way better induction sound is amazing
Mike

 

[fkheath]

Hi everyone,

My boss at work and I disagree in something but for those that have a Cai and cat back exhaust do they really help in terms of mpg and power?
I had a Cai on my old jeep and felt a difference in overall power but it wasn't a newer one and didn't have as much computer stuff for the engine ect.

If it does help I will definitely add it to my build list if not I'll put the plans and money when i have it elsewhere for my 4runner when I get it in Feb of this coming year when my Tundra lease is up.

Thanks everyone

I had both on my Wrangler and liked them. A bit more power. Many of the CAI people "guarantee" more power. I like K&N be best for CAI.

As other have said, the sound difference is great.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I added the following incrementally to measure the differences. Time between each change was about 3 months. I don't put a ton of miles on mine, (just hit 16k on my '19).
TRD CAI - slight reduction to mpg
TRD CAI + TRD filter - no change
TRD Exhaust - slight increase in mpg (16.4 - 16.7 average)
URD MAF calibrator - increase (average with non-winter mix fuel 17.4)

I also have added sliders and full skid package between the CAI+filter and present. All aluminum. This is on a TRD Pro, so your baseline may be a bit better than mine.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Definite bump in HP and throttle response, my gas mileage went up a bit but not super noticeable. My truck definitely gets up and goes much better after the exhaust and intake

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Not really. Maybe 3 horsepower at 9000 RPM.

 

[91foxbody]

Any gains you're feeling/noticing from CAI/cat-back is imaginary at best. Stock filter systems and exhausts are pretty damn good these days, and the only gains you'd recognize would be from forced induction or removal of cats in the exhaust.

 

[WhiteMudhorn]

With the cost of intake and exhaust.. wouldn't something like the Vivid Racing Tune be better gain wise? Per the Dyno its got very good gains across the power band. Even better if you decided CAI & CBE.

 

[mo_mo]

OEM is going to do all that is reasonable to meet CAFE standards.

The 4Runner comes with a CAI. Almost all aftermarket CAIs are just a new filter in a new box and removing the helmholtz resonators. Basically it sounds different, but it's not moving more air into the combustion chamber.

Same story with a cat back, or most exhaust mods. OEMs aren't leaving much if anything on the table here and butt dynos can be heavily influenced by your ears.

Actual dynos can be heavily influenced through other manners (AC on/off, engine/transmission hot/cold [open/closed loop], tire pressure, ambient conditions, etc.), so unless someone is doing multiple dyno runs before and after, then it's difficult to really compare unless you're seeing huge differences like you're now boosted.

MPG is so heavily influenced from seasonal fuel changes, traffic, tire pressure, etc it is a difficult gauge that must be measured over 10s of 1000s of miles to get relative accurate readings of changes.