K&N Cold Air Intake. Power/gas (2000 Limited)

[Justfuzzit]

So I've got a 2000 4Runner Limited (3.4L V6)

I'm looking into replacing my cold-air intake, but want to make sure that it actually makes a half decent increase in power and mileage.

I KNOW there are peeps out there who have made this swap, so input would be greatly appreciated. I work on bicycles more than I do cars, so with limited knowledge on the inner workings of cars, I'm taking all the help I can get.

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

So I've got a 2000 4Runner Limited (3.4L V6)

I'm looking into replacing my cold-air intake, but want to make sure that it actually makes a half decent increase in power and mileage.

I KNOW there are peeps out there who have made this swap, so input would be greatly appreciated. I work on bicycles more than I do cars, so with limited knowledge on the inner workings of cars, I'm taking all the help I can get.

Honestly, you're not really going to notice an HP increase. There isn't a significant enough increase for you to ever notice it. Most people who say they gained a bunch just think that because it sounds like you do because it's louder. You'll probably see your gas mileage increase but not by a whole lot.

Do you go offroading ever? If so, better off staying away from coldair intakes cause it'll be easy to suck water/mud up through it. Best bet, as many will agree, is to go with the deckplate mod. You need a stock intake box but it's your best option.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Well there are a ton of people who had the same question as you and there are actually a lot of post on this aready but ill give you an easy answer, if you want to save money and want the performance search the deckplate mod if you like the look dont buy a K&N they can cause problems with the oiled filter and open space. Go with volant or AFE they are the same price as a K&N but its a true CAI to where you filter is stil in a box but you get better results. The K&N only has a shield that doesn't block all the heat from the engine. plus if your out wheelin your gonna prbably have problems when you hit the water.

i have the volant and a buddy of mine has the K&N on his tacoma (same engine) and IMO the volant sounds cleaner, meaner and way better. ill post a video one of these days.

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

I would stay away from a K&N if I were you. I had one on my 02 tacoma and it was alright but it was a pain when I had to reoil the filter cause you can't put too much other wise it will mess up your MAF sensor. On my 99 4runner I have the AEM CAI and I love it. Its a dry filter system and I gained 2 mpg in the city with it. I have read where many people were not happy with the deck plate mod.

 

[Justfuzzit]

Thanks for the replies. I am aware I'm not the first to ask this question XD

I'll look in to the other options... And no, I don't offroad. Even with the Rear Diff lock XD


EDIT:

I researched the Deckplate mod. Essentially a re-sealable hole in the airbox. Isn't this still pulling hot air from the engine compartment though? Or is it less than the K&N so you get more cooler, denser air?

Since I'm not off-roading at all, I would be fine running an "open" intake.. The Volant looks half descent...

What makes the AEM better than the K&N other than oil-less?

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Maybe someone else will chime in with you answer to the deckplate mod cause I honestly don't see the difference from a k&n either with the air hole being on the side and all.
I think if you want the best performance, the cooler the air you can get the better off your gonna be.
As for the filters k&n has been known to throw a CE code after re-oiling it, Ive heard it from a few people now. AEM makes the dry flow which doesn't need oil however you have to clean it still with their "special" soap (I used to have one on my car back on the day) I have volants powercore filter now and so far I have't heard any downfalls about it, it doesn't need oil and supposedly it doesnt require cleaning for 100,000 miles. You can use it for any after market intake too. Expensive little bugger though

 

[99runnerwa]

Justfuzzit, i had the k&n intake on my runner. on the highway i did notice a slight improvement in throttle response, and i gained about 2 mpg. the reason i removed it was after a weekend of wheeling not only was the filter clogged to the point of reducing the ability of the engine to rev, and i found the inside of the tube covered in a coating of dust. for a street rig it wouldnt be bad, but deffinitly not good for offroad. so now it is sitting in a box in my garage and my stock intake is back on my rig

 

[Justfuzzit]

Justfuzzit, i had the k&n intake on my runner. on the highway i did notice a slight improvement in throttle response, and i gained about 2 mpg. the reason i removed it was after a weekend of wheeling not only was the filter clogged to the point of reducing the ability of the engine to rev, and i found the inside of the tube covered in a coating of dust. for a street rig it wouldnt be bad, but deffinitly not good for offroad. so now it is sitting in a box in my garage and my stock intake is back on my rig

Yeah, street only for sure. And if I do ever do any off-roading, I'll switch it back and do the deckplate mod.

I had a K&N intake on my 96 Ford Explorer, and it made a significant enough difference. I never had any issues with the MAF sensor, given I oiled it correctly.

The only potential downfall with the K&N in my eyes is pulling hot air. But does pulling a small volume of cool air out-perform a larger volume of warm air? Sounds like a problem for Mythbusters...