Cold Air Intake Worth It?

Pretty much any HP gains are more than likely on the upper gain, that's why you don't typically see large Torque gains.

A drop in dry-flow AFE filter would probably be best to go with, but honestly I've been running factory air filters with no real issues (I did remove my hydrocarbon filter just for shits and giggles, but haven't noticed much of anything).
 
the reasoning why intakes do make a difference is sometimes is there is baffles, restrictions and bends. the engineers use this to adjust airflow and sound. the sound or lack of sound is what a lot of consumers enjoy. Living in CA we have the strictest emissions out of anybody. Constricting the oem intake is an easy way to decrease emissions and power. A lot of imported cars have a complicated intake added to reach America. The more surface area of a filter the less restriction it takes to get air to an engine.

the 4runner oem v8 intake has a ribs and a additional chamber that restrict some flow. This forum hates intakes for some reason and likes headers/mufflers. Its the same idea except on the front end.
 
the reasoning why intakes do make a difference is sometimes is there is baffles, restrictions and bends. the engineers use this to adjust airflow and sound. the sound or lack of sound is what a lot of consumers enjoy. Living in CA we have the strictest emissions out of anybody. Constricting the oem intake is an easy way to decrease emissions and power. A lot of imported cars have a complicated intake added to reach America. The more surface area of a filter the less restriction it takes to get air to an engine.

the 4runner oem v8 intake has a ribs and a additional chamber that restrict some flow. This forum hates intakes for some reason and likes headers/mufflers. Its the same idea except on the front end.

Very, very true. Some are a maze of channels to re-direct the air, which robs you of power. The factory does that to keep everything whisper quiet, but what fun is that? These trucks sound great when opened up.

I can tell you Dyno's do not lie. The only warmer air that may be pulled in with the Volant box is when the truck is idle. There's a reason dyno's produce more HP.

For example, here's a 4.0L V6 intake on the 2003-2009 4Runner V6. K&N. Now, this won't is a more open in the engine bay. But, the Dyno still gives it a 9 hp gain, and 9 ft lbs of torque.

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/63-9023_dyno.pdf


I have many happy customers with many different vehicle types with intakes. Some cars give more than others. For ex, a Nissan Frontier V6. Intakes only give about a 4hp gain on that truck. If I owned a frontier, I wouldn't recommend an intake (one in particular gives 8, but it's expensive). I'm honest with customers, or they won't come back again. If I'm selling an intake and people are saying they are getting better mileage and it makes towing easier, then my job is done.

Check out this awesome Dyno from the V8. 17 HP gain.

This is a post from TR4.org:

stage 1 is Complete!!
OK, well finally I got the Split Sec PCU installed and tuned. After spending 2 hours on the dyno tuning here are the results. But first, I promised to release the results of the Volant CAI. This run was done with the stock map running in the PCU before we even started tuning. AFR's were right at 11.8:1, even though the graph I posted below doesn't show it. How about 17 AWHP?? I think that settles that:

Volant CAI Dyno Proven HP:

OUTRNNR has attached this image, DYNO:


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=192184

Original post here: Toyota 120 Platforms Forum - View Single Post - Volant CAI
 
dropping my .02 here.

I've had a few cars and trucks where I swapped out the intake, and for the most part, it's a trivial difference. If you're changing the engine setup dramatically (new turbo, injectors, etc...) and reflashing/mapping the ECU to provide more power, along with installing a new exhaust that allows for more airflow, then you might see some advantages of putting in a new CAI. But just adding in a new intake won't do much for you without altering more components. Instead, as suggested, I would simply replace the air filter with something worthwhile. I have the TRD filter, but the K&N does well too. They provide PLENTY of free flowing air to the engine, assuming you have not modified it heavily.

That said, if you want a spendy way of creating a nice sound, it's a fine choice. I just wouldn't expect much of a gain in HP. I'd argue it offers as much of a HP gain as the hood scoop on a sport ;)
 
As others have said, the full intake is a waste and doesn't even draw air from outside of the engine bay like the stock one does. I've had 2 4.0 V6 runners and removed the HCF filter and used a K&N drop-in in both engines, and have been happy with the increased throttle response.
 
The Volant intake does draw air from the side fender and the front. Look close on the left side. It's also ported there to grab the cool air. But K&N has a different approach, where they leave the top fully open, and they have a heat shield when the hood is down.

18947_in.jpg
 
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Where do you work again, Jason? Your information is really helpful, and with a V6 4.0L engine I'm considering an intake that'll grant me the most HP+T I can buy for my money. Oiled or dry, I'm planning on running A Borla system in the future, so I'm leaning towards the Dyno based on what you're telling me

Here you go, I reduced the price down a little:

Burtman Industries K&N for 4.0 V6 4Runner

Unfortunately, the BORLA has been discontined by borla. So for exhaust, you'll want to look at Magnaflow, Gibson, JBA, etc, which I can get any of those.
 
I guess my issue on this, burning premium fuel, etc. and so on is whether the time, effort, and expense is worth the benefit.

There are many things like those where nothing but anecdotal or potentially biased (K&N's dyno numbers) evidence exists - despite the resources and interest of millions of people around the country (and world for that matter). I wouldn't presume to discount anyone's personal experience, but cognitive bias can create a situation where the desired or assumed outcome influences objectivity.

Of course your MPG/performance/whatever is better - or at least seems better; hell, you're spending 60 cents a gallon extra on "the good stuff" or you just installed a CAI or removed your carbon filter or (fill in the blank).

And as I mentioned in another post, I do the same thing myself when it comes to oil, spending extra on synthetic when I suspect that just about any oil on the market today is so good that any of it will keep my engine happy forever as long as it and the filter are changed regularly.

What I'm left with is Missouri's motto: show me. I want performance and efficiency advantages as much as anybody, but it's going to take hard, incontrovertible evidence to pry even one extra buck out of my wallet.

Unless it's for synthetic oil. :cool:
 

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