How-To-Guide (TRD CAI) Installation

[stiles_s]

Two questions:
trdparts4u shows the TRD intake working for 2010-2013. Does anyone know definitively if this will fit my '15? Maybe I should go to the OP and see what year his is?

second, can anyone recommend a good online dealer for trd stuff? I ordered from trdparts4u a decade ago. I'm sure things have changed.

Thanks,
Scott.

 

[stiles_s]

Two questions:
trdparts4u shows the TRD intake working for 2010-2013. Does anyone know definitively if this will fit my '15? Maybe I should go to the OP and see what year his is?

second, can anyone recommend a good online dealer for trd stuff? I ordered from trdparts4u a decade ago. I'm sure things have changed.

Thanks,
Scott.

Replying to myself with w/a bit more information. I talked w/the TRD guys @ my local dealer and they said:
- Toyota says these only fit 2010
- He thinks it's because of a change in air pump routing
- He'll sell me one if I want to take a chance.

Have those of you with 2014/2015 4runner run into any issues when installing? Air pump hoses looking for a home?

<<EDIT>> -- sorry, reading comprehension fail. I see you guys already got to the bottom of this on page 3. Thanks. I found a noticeable bump switching to premium fuel (this is the first of my many cars where I've been able to actually feel a difference). I'm hoping for a bit more of a bump from the intake. Then the truck will finally be able to cruise up a slight incline on the freeway in top gear rather than feeling (frankly) pathetically lethargic. Again, surprising change in behavior from just fuel.

Thanks.

 

[DjSamthrax]

If it's a 4.0 it fits. Just need to split the wiring harness a bit to reach to the new location.

 

[stiles_s]

If it's a 4.0 it fits. Just need to split the wiring harness a bit to reach to the new location.

Thanks, it's sitting in my trunk now.

 

[stiles_s]

OK, just installed it on my 2015 Trail Premium.

A couple notes:
1) Thanks to the OP for the pictures. They helped a ton!
2) The '15 is a little different, which is probably why they don't sell it for the 15:
- The instructions call for a specific way of re-securing the existing wiring harness via some snap-in zip ties. The holes for the zip ties aren't there on a 15 because of the lovely air pump we have and its associates machinery

I think that was the only complication. I spent the most time ensuring I had the MAF wiring routed out of the main harness in a way where it wouldn't chaff/bind/wear over time. I think it ended up OK, but I'm always wary of messing w/factory wiring.

A pretty straightforward project. Took it out for a quick trip to ensure there weren't any check-engine light issues or weird noises. The only new noise is some really nice intake roar from 3krpm and up. Sounds good. Louder than I expected, but good.

One thing that worries me is the loss of the intake resonators -- the heimholz resonators. Those buggers are not only to quiet intake noise, but they are also about timing intake pulses to increase power and torque. I don't care about the noise, but I'm going to be watching low-rpm torque carefully. I don't want to sacrifice that in this truck because of how incredibly eco-aggressive the tranny is. Seems I'm always @ 1krpm

Cheers

 

[mo_mo]

OK, just installed it on my 2015 Trail Premium.

One thing that worries me is the loss of the intake resonators -- the heimholz resonators. Those buggers are not only to quiet intake noise, but they are also about timing intake pulses to increase power and torque. I don't care about the noise, but I'm going to be watching low-rpm torque carefully. I don't want to sacrifice that in this truck because of how incredibly eco-aggressive the tranny is. Seems I'm always @ 1krpm

Cheers

I've often wondered about the nuances of inlet tuning and the helmholtz resonators that we see. My guess, and without running testing with pressure probes it will remain as such, is that the helmholtz resonator chambers only impact accoustics. While the chambers do act as temporary accumulators I don't think the pressure waves of the helmholtz chambers are significant to the pressures seen at the intake valves. It may be significant on exhausts as one can run the helmholtz chamber to deaden sound without killing off pressure with a standard muffler, but inlets don't make 'that much' noise so no need for restrictive mufflers.

Some intake design stuff including some basics on intake length and helmholtz theory.

So with the TRD CAI, or other system, the intake runner length / volume / diameter are all being tweaked so the 'peak' may be tuned slightly but I doubt you'll notice a loss of any low end.

Apparently the LS7 (corvette engine) removed the resonator chambers.

 

[mo_mo]

No good thread for TRD CAI performance results yet and this seemed a good place to add my info. Really great install guide!

After reading how Rocky was dynoed and showed a reasonable improvement I thought I'd give the TRD CAI a try.

I did some obdII with dashcommand runs. 3 runs baseline, 3 runs with TRD CAI. The data was a bit granular, and I ended up averaging the last 660 feet of the 1320 foot runs. The reason for this is there were a few 'off the line' anomalies that messed with the standard deviation. Each run was on the same strip from a stop on a grade (6%). Topped off the gas tank just prior to the start of each session. Each session had very similar ambient conditions (stock: 64F, 32% humid, 30.00 baro | TRD: 70F, 30% humid, 30.00 baro).

Before I go on with results, I'd like to compare the TRD CAI vs. stock systems.

The stock system has a little 'shovel' that protrudes out of the inlet box into the fender well. This 'shovel' is much like a garden hand shovel and faces 'up'. It appears it might try to prevent debris from being sucked up directly, or it could be there to aid in water fording or both. The TRD CAI replaces the 'shovel' with a rubber bell mouth. According the the TRD CAI instructions, the FJ actually has a scoop piece in the fender-well that is removed instead of the 4Runner shovel that is part of the inlet box. That scoop may or may not be significant and could be what TRD measured their HP gains on.

The stock inlet box inlet tube runs a few inches into the box, while the TRD CAI dumps right in at the side wall (no lower tube).

The stock inlet box outlet has a flow straightener at the box outlet just upstream of the MAF. The TRD CAI has no flow straightener and places the MAF further downstream where the inlet tube is tapered down significantly.

The TRD CAI has a neat gimmick with the delta P indicator. 25 in-h2o = replace. That's about 1 psi, so 1 psi / 14.7 psi (std. atmosphere) ~ 7% = time to replace.

TRD parts weight - Stock parts weight = 1 lb lighter with TRD (woot woot).

Results:
Stock average last 660' = 6.360 seconds with a stdev of 0.014
TRD CAI avge last 660' = 6.347 seconds with a stdev of 0.120 (yeah lack of consistency on the runs).

I'm thinking that the stock intake is designed pretty darn well and there might be a slight increase with the TRD CAI. 10 hp peak is pretty negligible when it comes to useable throughout the entire band and what it turns into when it hits the ground on our rigs.

Full Results:
Stock average full 1320' = 18.143 with a stdev of 0.208
TRD CAI avge full 1320' = 17.664 with a stdev of 0.567

Maybe there's something there, maybe there isn't :fear:

 

[stiles_s]

No good thread for TRD CAI performance results yet and this seemed a good place to add my info. Really great install guide!

After reading how Rocky was dynoed and showed a reasonable improvement I thought I'd give the TRD CAI a try.

I did some obdII with dashcommand runs. 3 runs baseline, 3 runs with TRD CAI. The data was a bit granular, and I ended up averaging the last 660 feet of the 1320 foot runs. The reason for this is there were a few 'off the line' anomalies that messed with the standard deviation. Each run was on the same strip from a stop on a grade (6%). Topped off the gas tank just prior to the start of each session. Each session had very similar ambient conditions (stock: 64F, 32% humid, 30.00 baro | TRD: 70F, 30% humid, 30.00 baro).

Before I go on with results, I'd like to compare the TRD CAI vs. stock systems.

The stock system has a little 'shovel' that protrudes out of the inlet box into the fender well. This 'shovel' is much like a garden hand shovel and faces 'up'. It appears it might try to prevent debris from being sucked up directly, or it could be there to aid in water fording or both. The TRD CAI replaces the 'shovel' with a rubber bell mouth. According the the TRD CAI instructions, the FJ actually has a scoop piece in the fender-well that is removed instead of the 4Runner shovel that is part of the inlet box. That scoop may or may not be significant and could be what TRD measured their HP gains on.

The stock inlet box inlet tube runs a few inches into the box, while the TRD CAI dumps right in at the side wall (no lower tube).

The stock inlet box outlet has a flow straightener at the box outlet just upstream of the MAF. The TRD CAI has no flow straightener and places the MAF further downstream where the inlet tube is tapered down significantly.

The TRD CAI has a neat gimmick with the delta P indicator. 25 in-h2o = replace. That's about 1 psi, so 1 psi / 14.7 psi (std. atmosphere) ~ 7% = time to replace.

TRD parts weight - Stock parts weight = 1 lb lighter with TRD (woot woot).

Results:
Stock average last 660' = 6.360 seconds with a stdev of 0.014
TRD CAI avge last 660' = 6.347 seconds with a stdev of 0.120 (yeah lack of consistency on the runs).

I'm thinking that the stock intake is designed pretty darn well and there might be a slight increase with the TRD CAI. 10 hp peak is pretty negligible when it comes to useable throughout the entire band and what it turns into when it hits the ground on our rigs.

Full Results:
Stock average full 1320' = 18.143 with a stdev of 0.208
TRD CAI avge full 1320' = 17.664 with a stdev of 0.567

Maybe there's something there, maybe there isn't :fear:

Can you explain "last '660"?

I'd say .5sec improvement in a 1/4-mi is pretty significant, no? What speed are you hitting @ the 1/4?

After a few days with mine, I'm thinking of removing it because of the added noise. It feels a little cheap to me. I find myself backing out of the throttle when I have the family in the car because of the noise.

Hmmm...

 

[mo_mo]

Can you explain "last '660"?

I'd say .5sec improvement in a 1/4-mi is pretty significant, no? What speed are you hitting @ the 1/4?

After a few days with mine, I'm thinking of removing it because of the added noise. It feels a little cheap to me. I find myself backing out of the throttle when I have the family in the car because of the noise.

Hmmm...

Last 1/8 mile. So once you're up to speed for the next 660 feet is there a difference. This takes out a couple of variables such as how fast I got on the throttle and local traction limits.

Speeds were right on top of each other and I'm too lazy to normalize them since they'll show about the same deltas as the time.

 

[be77solo]

Can you explain "last '660"?

I'd say .5sec improvement in a 1/4-mi is pretty significant, no? What speed are you hitting @ the 1/4?

After a few days with mine, I'm thinking of removing it because of the added noise. It feels a little cheap to me. I find myself backing out of the throttle when I have the family in the car because of the noise.

Hmmm...

I'm actually impressed with the results, didn't think it would do anything at all. Plus, I just love how they look in the engine bay. Figure the wife spends way more on shoes and purses anyway ha..... :heh:

If you do decide to remove yours, let me know and I'll buy it from you. Send me a PM if so.

 

[Stifler]

snake oil... I really need to come up with something to sell to suckers

 

[be77solo]

snake oil... I really need to come up with something to sell to suckers

Meh, the sound and looks are just about enough to matter... And now there's somebody that actually took the time and money to do before and after dyno runs. That's way more research than my wife needed before the last purse purchase to dress up her arm! :zoom:

 

[stiles_s]

snake oil... I really need to come up with something to sell to suckers

Like a 3rd row?

The fact that Toyota supports the part, and that they specify it increases power & torque, was enough to get me to try it. Lord knows we could use a bit more power and torque.

 

[Mistaken]

Installed mine today and this thread was a huge help! Looks good, fits awesome and sounds great. Definitely happy with my purchase.

 

[Mistaken]

I agree ...cus Im done...

But will continue reading cuz this guys entertaining as hell

So you put a TRD intake on your 2015? Any fitment issues?

 

[TheWraith]

So you put a TRD intake on your 2015? Any fitment issues?

Its a 2014 but the only issues were because of the air pump. You couldnt use the specialized zip ties to hold down the wiring that attaches to the right side of the intake box. But thats it...

The extending the wiring for MAF sensor is the most tedious part of the install.

 

[Randyman...]

The extending the wiring for MAF sensor is the most tedious part of the install.

That does indeed seem to be the case (but nothing I'd hesitate to knock out ). That said, I'd still like to see the full TRD CAI results compared to a "Stock Drop In" TRD Replacement Filter using the stock intake tube and filter housing. Curious if nothing else...

Rock on! :lookout:

 

[Mistaken]

Its a 2014 but the only issues were because of the air pump. You couldnt use the specialized zip ties to hold down the wiring that attaches to the right side of the intake box. But thats it...

The extending the wiring for MAF sensor is the most tedious part of the install.

Ah ok cool. Yeah the wiring was tedious but looks oem when completed.

Thanks for the info. My buddy with a 2015 wants one too so thought I'd ask.

 

[TheWraith]

That does indeed seem to be the case (but nothing I'd hesitate to knock out ). That said, I'd still like to see the full TRD CAI results compared to a "Stock Drop In" TRD Replacement Filter using the stock intake tube and filter housing. Curious if nothing else...

Rock on! :lookout:

I wonder if the TRD drop in is the same filter at the one on the TRD CAI

 

[sandcrawler]

I wonder if the TRD drop in is the same filter at the one on the TRD CAI

they're exactly the same AFAIK. i have an aFe Pro Dry in my TRD CAI—perfect fit.