How-To-Guide (TRD CAI) Installation

[Randyman...]

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.

As in the same dimensions as the stock element?

That's what I was referring to: Comparing the full TRD CAI to the "Stock" air box and stock intake tube but with the TRD "Drop-In" gauze/oil element.

Maybe they do use the same sized element?

 

[sandcrawler]

yeah, that's what i meant: the Pro Dry filter i used in my stock intake fits perfectly in my TRD CAI.

 

[Randyman...]

yeah, that's what i meant: the Pro Dry filter i used in my stock intake fits perfectly in my TRD CAI.

Interesting. While we know how this is frowned upon in this thread ( :argue: ), did you notice any additional "Seat of the pants Dyno" results from the Pro Dry in the stock airbox to the same filter in the TRD CAI?

 

[stiles_s]

yeah, that's what i meant: the Pro Dry filter i used in my stock intake fits perfectly in my TRD CAI.

This is really interesting. I was actually wondering if my OE pleated paper filter would fit in the TRD intake. Call me nuts, but based on years tinkering with this stuff, I've grown to believe that:
- oiled filters don't filter as well as a good pleated paper filter, and
- they actually flow nearly identically

I'm going to try to fit my OE filter. Will report back. I know, seems backwards, but feels like potentially the best of both worlds (for me, that is): better noise, a bit more power, and factory filtration.

 

[TheWraith]

This is really interesting. I was actually wondering if my OE pleated paper filter would fit in the TRD intake. Call me nuts, but based on years tinkering with this stuff, I've grown to believe that:
- oiled filters don't filter as well as a good pleated paper filter, and
- they actually flow nearly identically

I'm going to try to fit my OE filter. Will report back. I know, seems backwards, but feels like potentially the best of both worlds (for me, that is): better noise, a bit more power, and factory filtration.

From my belief ... the afe and the trd one is the same and theyre both dry filters. Meaning no oil

 

[Randyman...]

From my belief ... the afe and the trd one is the same and theyre both dry filters. Meaning no oil

All indicators I've seen indicated the TRD was a pre-oiled filter (and not a dry filter), no? You obviously own one and I don't, so I'll gladly defer this clarification to you

 

[Mistaken]

My TRD filter was definitely oiled.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

This thread... wow.

Closed for now until I can return this thread to its former self

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

This thread is cool, most everyone's having a great conversation. If one guy starts with acting up, please don't use that as an excuse to act up yourself... just report it.

In this case, a couple people will be serving out some temporary bans to get their act together.

The posts have been removed from public view, no one should ever have to waste their time reading that garbage.

Back to TRD intakes...

 

[sandcrawler]

Interesting. While we know how this is frowned upon in this thread ( :argue: ), did you notice any additional "Seat of the pants Dyno" results from the Pro Dry in the stock airbox to the same filter in the TRD CAI?

it's been a really long time. i honestly don't believe there was any difference whatsoever with the aFe Pro Dry S filter in the stock box, and—whatever the marginal gains may, or may not, be—the difference with the TRD CAI is mostly perceptual, noise, and bling. my butt dyno is very poorly calibrated and i don't tend to take its claims very seriously.

This is really interesting. I was actually wondering if my OE pleated paper filter would fit in the TRD intake. Call me nuts, but based on years tinkering with this stuff, I've grown to believe that:
- oiled filters don't filter as well as a good pleated paper filter, and
- they actually flow nearly identically

i hear what you're saying and if i were doing super dusty, desert runs i'd give that some consideration and maybe use the paper filter for those trips, at least. my last used oil analysis reported numbers well below averages—including silicon—so i'm reasonably comfortable that my Pro Dry isn't doing any harm. it's nice to be able to just vacuum and/or wash it; not replace or oil it. and the "filter service" indicator on my TRD CAI has literally never budged so i'm confident i'm staying well out in front of its required maintenance interval.

From my belief ... the afe and the trd one is the same and theyre both dry filters. Meaning no oil

no. the TRD is an oiled filter and the TRD cleaning kit includes the oil to service the filter.

aFe offers two different kinds: both oiled (Pro 5R) and dry (Pro Dry S).

 

[Mistaken]

So far I have gained +1.7mpg increase. :first:

 

[stiles_s]

I ran my CAI for about a week. Definitely felt a bump in power, but have decided to remove it. I'm super OCD with stuff like this. For me, the noise was a bit much, especially when driving clients around.

I think it sounds cool; wish is was 50% as loud.

FS in Seattle, for cheap, if anyone's near by.

 

[Greedy]

I ran my CAI for about a week. Definitely felt a bump in power, but have decided to remove it. I'm super OCD with stuff like this. For me, the noise was a bit much, especially when driving clients around.

I think it sounds cool; wish is was 50% as loud.

FS in Seattle, for cheap, if anyone's near by.

Ill take it. Sent u a pm earlier today. Let me know.

 

[shufly09]

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

Agreed. The only differences are securing the cables with the zip ties. Mine still looks clean and I only used two zip ties rather than the 6 or so that were provided. This was installed on a 2015 Trail Premium, btw.

 

[TheWraith]

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

I might have to order that aFe when my TRD one gets old

 

[TheWraith]

aFe offers two different kinds: both oiled (Pro 5R) and dry (Pro Dry S).

thank you for that

 

[sandcrawler]

thank you for that

de nada

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Does anyone have decibel level max at WOT? Wondering how much louder it is. Had a K&N CAI on my 02', hated how noisy it was.

 

[Nomad Syndrome]

Works fine on my 2015

Thanks for an awesome write-up, I followed it and it worked fine for my 2015 as well!

 

[Mistaken]

Does anyone have decibel level max at WOT? Wondering how much louder it is. Had a K&N CAI on my 02', hated how noisy it was.

I mean, its a deeper, throatier sound but its not loud. You can hear that its there but it isnt loud by any means.