Need Advice - Cold Air Intake

[knecoli22]

The wife went above and beyond this year for Christmas and bought me a Volant Cold Air Intake for the 4Runner.

I was initially excited but when I opened the box I found the build quality to be very poor and now see that the CAI does not connect to the passenger fender (nearly 2 inches from the hole in the fender). In addition it sucks air in from the engine bay through a forward facing 4" hole. Seems the factory CAI is better quality, just has more bends to get to the carb.

I have the CAI installed and honestly do not like the way it sounds. I thought I would but the stock V8 doesn't have a very good throaty sound at WOT. I was very surprised. It sounds more like a V6 and rattles the inside of the SUV at certain RPMs.

I started reading through the forums and see where most of you just do the HCF Delete and possibly add a new drop in, K&N or something similar.

Should I send the Volant CAI intake back and just do a K&N drop in with the factory CAI, or possible go K&N CAI?

Sending it back gives me $270 to work with ... what accessory do I need for the close to that price?

 

[KidVermicious]

It isn't a cold air intake. It hasn't been a cold air intake since the days of the flying saucer intake sitting on top of the carburetor. What you installed is actually a hot air intake, compared to the factory setup - all it's good for is reducing power, sounding like ass, and letting more dirt into your engine.

Do a little research on aftermarket filters, drop-in or otherwise. You'll find that when put up against OEM-style filters in tests for air flow and filtration, most of them lose.

 

[cpark_12]

The wife went above and beyond this year for Christmas and bought me a Volant Cold Air Intake for the 4Runner.

I was initially excited but when I opened the box I found the build quality to be very poor and now see that the CAI does not connect to the passenger fender (nearly 2 inches from the hole in the fender). In addition it sucks air in from the engine bay through a forward facing 4" hole. Seems the factory CAI is better quality, just has more bends to get to the carb.

I have the CAI installed and honestly do not like the way it sounds. I thought I would but the stock V8 doesn't have a very good throaty sound at WOT. I was very surprised. It sounds more like a V6 and rattles the inside of the SUV at certain RPMs.

I started reading through the forums and see where most of you just do the HCF Delete and possibly add a new drop in, K&N or something similar.

Should I send the Volant CAI intake back and just do a K&N drop in with the factory CAI, or possible go K&N CAI?

Sending it back gives me $270 to work with ... what accessory do I need for the close to that price?

I had one for about 2 weeks, and I sold it. I thought the same as you when I bought it, but I was very disappointed! I've since put a snorkel on mine with the stock airbox, HCF delete, and stock filter, and have actually noticed a difference in throttle response more than anything. Mostly when I'm passing people it seems to get to speed a little quicker than before, but that's just my experience.

 

[Jerm]

Get your wife's money back. All of the "CAI" are crap. Only if there was a Over the Radiator CAI for our trucks that would be nice. Your best bet to save money over time would be to get a washable filter. It will not increase performance one bit. Also to get slightly better throttle response you could take the extra parts off the intake tube that are there to quiet it down. You will be making it louder though if you do this. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Inv4drZm]

My brother just bought an airaid CAI for his FJ to replace the crappy K&N open style CAI it came with previously. This new one replaced all the factory intake baffles on top the engine. Its ridiculously loud at WOT it vibrates the front windshield... making me realize I just need a snorkel for mine. Besides why cover up that V8 hum? I would send it back.