Just installed: K&N AirCharger ('03 V6)

Goose

Goose

New member
After a couple hours of work on a Sunday afternoon, I've finally had the chance to add this improvement to the intake system.

The interior of the engine compartment looks totally different as you can see from the pictures and the new feel of the engine is superb. There is no noticable increase in HP, but the throttle response is much quicker. In addition, the sound of the engine is very deep and throaty. I'll post sound clips once I figure out how to add them...

The next project: Borla Exhaust (probably over Christmas). The AirCharger works best in parallel with other engine and exhaust enhancements, so I'll be interested to see how much of a change. With the increased flow, there might be a more noticable increase in HP and torque, but I'll have to wait and see. I've seen several other members mention increases with the exhaust alone, so hopefully with this AirCharger it might just work out.

Here's the link to K&N's product page:
K&N AirCharger Product Page

The Product number is: 63-1076 (3rd from the bottom)

I got mine from AJ-USA with free ground shipping.

Here are the pics:

101465926whRGXB_ph.jpg

101466888wEufhV_ph.jpg

101467338iWQmgg_ph.jpg
 
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Performance and reliability impact?

Will this air box pose problems while off-roading? Especially in high water, or very dusty areas?

Have you done any research on the filtering efficiency, and the dangers that it might cause the engine?

Just curious... I am looking at a similar air box for my rig, and was worried about these issues.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jason
 
It looks like you have to manually copy and paste the picture URL into your browser address box. Here are the URLs for the pictures:

community.webshots.com/s/image8/6/59/26/101465926whRGXB_ph.jpg

community.webshots.com/s/image1/6/68/88/101466888wEufhV_ph.jpg

community.webshots.com/s/image1/6/68/88/101466888wEufhV_ph.jpg
 
Dang been a year and a half since you washed the engine bay out? so you mean to tell me there is not a feel for a hpower gain? in other words .. is it worth getting?
 
Last edited:
Re: Performance and reliability impact?

JasonL said:
Will this air box pose problems while off-roading? Especially in high water, or very dusty areas?

Have you done any research on the filtering efficiency, and the dangers that it might cause the engine?

Just curious... I am looking at a similar air box for my rig, and was worried about these issues.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jason
Click to expand...

I didn't do any specific research on the product itself, however this item is meant specifically for off-road racing in a dusty environment. K&N expects this product to preform well in those conditions, and though I have not had a chance to take my truck off-road since, I have been happy with its increase in performance since.

As for the dangers to the engine, all you're doing is adding a better filter...a MUCH better filter. The aircharger does a better job of weeding out the bad particles and then settling the air into a non-turbulant flow to the engine. The throttle response is quicker and the engine sounds much deeper and throatier, but on the other hand, you're not using an impellor like on a turbo- or supercharger.

I hope this helps. I'll be gone until Sunday the 30th of Nov, so please pardon the delay in any replies.
 
TiTaniuM4Runner said:
Dang been a year and a half since you washed the engine bay out? so you mean to tell me there is not a feel for a hpower gain? in other words .. is it worth getting?
Click to expand...

There isn't an amazing gain of 50% in the HP of the car or anything like that (though K&N boasts up to a 10% increase) but you do get a much quicker throttle response--that I did notice. In terms of style, the new sound of the engine rivals that of a runner with Borla exhaust (sound clips are available on this forum) though I don't have the Borlas yet, what I have heard gives the aircharger the upper hand in terms of sound.

I'll be gone until Sunday the 30th of Nov, so please pardon the delay in any replies.
 
rensho said:
how much of the original box do you remove? Looks like you get rid of both air filters in the V6.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. You remove the ENTIRE airbox as well as the resonator and the connecting hose. The AirCharger filters better than the two in the airbox and provides a clean, non-turbulant flow for the intake, which removes the need for a resonator. The intake from the filter head goes through the charger tube and directly into the throttle body of the engine (I should have taken a picture with the engine cover removed!!)
 
All,

I apologize for the pictures not working. I had the same problem on another thread I did about seat covers and I'm going to have to find a better hosting service than webshots!! I appreciate any help other members have provided in terms of finding the pictures and making them asscessible to everyone else in my leave.


Erik
 
Air charger and other mods...

Erik,

It looks like we are on the same trajectory as far as upgrades are concerned. I am doing the air charger, then moving on to a cat back system (maybe a supercharger after that).

Where did you get the air charger, who has the best price?

I am still shopping for cat-backs, but am leaning towards the TRD one. Does anyone have any comments, or suggestions on this upgrade?

I have the 2000 4runner SR5, so some of my mods may need to be somewhat different than you folks with the 4th gen. You lucky ba***rds. Just kidding.

Thanks for any help, Jason
 
I just installed my aircharger tonight, it was a pretty clean install but the stealer's at K&N did not deem it necessary to put in the longer fuel pressure regulator hose into my kit so I had to hunt one down that would fit, but overall this kit does make a marked improvement in sound and throttle response, allthough it seems to run a bit rich on the low end. I have a little gyroscopic g-timer for the window and it says that I picked up about 1/10 to 60, so I seem to be getting about 6 or so extra to the ground, not too bad, but wish it was really the 10% as advertised. I got mine from 4-filters. I was trying to get it before this weekend as I took a trip to florida to see an increase in MPG, but instead I had to put up with the 20.889 that I had on the trip. I will try to help anyone else out with it. I say go for the aircharger, the extra sound is worth it, now I do wish I had the money to pony up to the borla system for it.
 
Re: Air charger and other mods...

JasonL said:
Erik,

It looks like we are on the same trajectory as far as upgrades are concerned. I am doing the air charger, then moving on to a cat back system (maybe a supercharger after that).

Where did you get the air charger, who has the best price?

I am still shopping for cat-backs, but am leaning towards the TRD one. Does anyone have any comments, or suggestions on this upgrade?

I have the 2000 4runner SR5, so some of my mods may need to be somewhat different than you folks with the 4th gen. You lucky ba***rds. Just kidding.
Click to expand...

Jason,

As far as cat backs go, I've already ordered the Borla system for my 03 so I'm hoping to put that together over Christmas. The aircharger I got was from AJ-USA (a K&N authorized dealer that was linked from the K&N website). Check out K&N's site and see if they offer anything for the 3rd gen runners K&N.com ...their site is easy enough to navigate. You can try either the product search, or just click on "home" and go for their AirCharger section (under intake kits I believe). I hadn't been looking for a 3rd gen aircharger, so I can't speak for availability, but I'd say it's worth looking for.

As for that supercharger you mentioned....heck yeah (haha). I'm biting my nails waiting for TRD to build one for the new 4.0L V6 that I'm working with (back when I bought the car, the V8 was exactly $1000 out of my price range). We'll see what they come out with in the next year or so!!

Good luck!!
 
That's a cool idea but it will not work off-road in it's current state.
There is a hole directly under the K&N filter location.

During a water crossing or mud, Water will shoot up directly into the filter and possibly into the engine.
The barrier surround is not closed off enough to protect it from water and mud coming into the engine bay.
With that setup, there is a very real danger of hydrolocking your engine.

At the very least I would tape up the drain hole under the cone filter. If there was a better sealed box, it might be good but then would restrict airflow into the filter.

I like the idea but not the execution for a SUV.

102149275oGzUME_ph.jpg

The yellow line is the more direct plumbing but also makes it very easy for water to get sucked in.
Red arrows indicate where water will come in from- this is from personal experience (knowing were the splash is, not hydrolocking)!

A friend sent me a link for this:
18424.jpg

Looks to be a cone filter (like K&N) except enclosed box breathing through the stock fender hole. Good stuff for SUV's.

http://www.shmotorsport.com/item160883.ctlg

It looks like it is for the older 4Runner but could certainly be quickly modified to fit an 03-04 4Runner. Intakes aren't hard and require no skill to install.

If I got an intake, it would be like this one. Besides the water/dirt protection, it is sucking in cold air and not the hot engine compartment air.
 
MPG?

Someone on the edmunds board mentioned they went up 1+ mpg with the K&N. Would you keep an eye on that for us?
 
I have not really noted an increase in mileage I think I am getting about .2mpg extra with it installed. I gained another .2 when I went to synthetic motor oil. I wa hoping for better gains, but I am still getting much better gas mileage than I used to get with one of my first cars.
 
Extra Gas Milage

I haven't noticed an increase myself...nothing significant anyway. I haven't really kept track by pen and paper however...just keeping an eye on the car's computer.

--E
 
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