TRD or aFe intake?

sandcrawler

sandcrawler

Senior Member
i'm sure i'm not the only member asking this question... thinking to replace my muffler with a magnaflow and upgrade the intake too. would love to hear from folks running the TRD and the new aFe CAIs. pros... cons... worth it? would you do it again?

i still have 18 months of warranty left, so the "manufacturer approved" aspect of the TRD has its appeal. plus it seems like my aFe Pro Dry filter (stock) will fit in the TRD unit.

then again, the aFe is a bit less $ and it seems like the install is a little easier?

thanks for any and all input.
 
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sandcrawler said:
i'm sure i'm not the only member asking this question... thinking to replace my muffler with a magnaflow and upgrade the intake too. would love to hear from folks running the TRD and the new aFe CAIs. pros... cons... worth it? would you do it again?

i still have 18 months of warranty left, so the "manufacturer approved" aspect of the TRD has its appeal. plus it seems like my aFe Pro Dry filter (stock) will fit in the TRD unit.

then again, the aFe is a bit less $ and it seems like the install is a little easier?

thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...

I have the TRD. It costs too much for what it is, but I like it. I would buy it again, but don't do it unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket.
 
thanks, robotkiller. yeah, while they're both spendy for what they are, the TRD is more so for sure. but after a year and half of ownership, it's time for a bit more "growl and go" from my 4Runner.
 
sandcrawler said:
i'm sure i'm not the only member asking this question... thinking to replace my muffler with a magnaflow and upgrade the intake too. would love to hear from folks running the TRD and the new aFe CAIs. pros... cons... worth it? would you do it again?

i still have 18 months of warranty left, so the "manufacturer approved" aspect of the TRD has its appeal. plus it seems like my aFe Pro Dry filter (stock) will fit in the TRD unit.

then again, the aFe is a bit less $ and it seems like the install is a little easier?

thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...

SC, no regrets whatsoever on the TRD. Love the sound, high and low. After one of the threads about hearing whine noise or whistling I have really been attuned to it, and I can hear a faint "semi whistle" under light acceleration around 1800 rpm. It is so cool I dig it. Get it up over 4 and it is a powerful roar.

I recently posted my new OW 2.0 kit being the first bit of automotive work I had ever done myself, but then recalled I did install this intake :-) I cannot say if the AFE is easier, but can say the TRD is very straight forward with an excellent set of instructions. I had no issues at all aside from needing a small spacer on one of the bolts that secures the plastic box to the wheel well. Set up a small table to lay everything out, have the necessary tools, and it is easy.
 
I have the TRD and Borla Cat back and I would do it again. I LOVE the sound of the Borla at start-up, just crusing it has a great hum and at WOT the TRD has a real nice whistle and you get an awesome growl from the Borla. Even better the wife laughs everytime I get on it, she even likes them both and has ZERO interest in anything automotive
 
a couple more nudges in the TRD direction, hmmmm... awesome feedback. thanks guys.


453030 said:
SC, no regrets whatsoever on the TRD. Love the sound, high and low. After one of the threads about hearing whine noise or whistling I have really been attuned to it, and I can hear a faint "semi whistle" under light acceleration around 1800 rpm. It is so cool I dig it. Get it up over 4 and it is a powerful roar.

I recently posted my new OW 2.0 kit being the first bit of automotive work I had ever done myself, but then recalled I did install this intake :-) I cannot say if the AFE is easier, but can say the TRD is very straight forward with an excellent set of instructions. I had no issues at all aside from needing a small spacer on one of the bolts that secures the plastic box to the wheel well. Set up a small table to lay everything out, have the necessary tools, and it is easy.
Click to expand...

Mtn.Rush said:
I have the TRD and Borla Cat back and I would do it again. I LOVE the sound of the Borla at start-up, just crusing it has a great hum and at WOT the TRD has a real nice whistle and you get an awesome growl from the Borla. Even better the wife laughs everytime I get on it, she even likes them both and has ZERO interest in anything automotive
Click to expand...
that certainly would be a nice (unexpected!) bonus! :biggrin2:
 
I bought the aFe and should install it this weekend. I'll post my opinion after I have tried it out.

Cheers,
Greg
 
04rnr said:
If Im not mistaken, AFE does make the TRD intake
Click to expand...
completely different designs, however, if that is indeed the case.

the TRD looks like it's basically the stock box (and flat filter design) with a straight tube. the aFe is a completely different chamber design utilizing a cone filter. the aFe unit looks to have an additional air inlet of some kind too? :shrug:
 
I recently put on the 22" magnaflow and was loving the sound, then decided I needed to get louder. I ordered the aFe and that solved all the problems. As for power increase, I'm not so sure I got any difference, but to be honest, I wasn't so sure I'd see any increase. I may feel it more when I get more time with it, but It's been in about a week. Even with that said, I spend the money all over again. I does exactly what I was expecting...BE LOUD!

Install was a breeze too. The instructions are very simple and included with pictures. It probably could have been done without instructions and a little common sense.

I also bought mine from aFe Intake System - Stage 2 - 1XRACING - AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES PERFORMANCE PARTS WHOLESALE

These guys had the wholesale price and it shipped straight from aFe.
 
FactoryRide said:
I recently put on the 22" magnaflow and was loving the sound, then decided I needed to get louder. I ordered the aFe and that solved all the problems. As for power increase, I'm not so sure I got any difference, but to be honest, I wasn't so sure I'd see any increase. I may feel it more when I get more time with it, but It's been in about a week. Even with that said, I spend the money all over again. I does exactly what I was expecting...BE LOUD!

Install was a breeze too. The instructions are very simple and included with pictures. It probably could have been done without instructions and a little common sense.

I also bought mine from aFe Intake System - Stage 2 - 1XRACING - AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES PERFORMANCE PARTS WHOLESALE

These guys had the wholesale price and it shipped straight from aFe.
Click to expand...
same 22” magnaflow i'm eyeing—don't want anything too loud. the fact that the aFe can be had for ~$280, versus ~$100 more for the TRD is a factor to consider.

dekeman said:
Thanks for posting question SC, I was wondering same thing....
Click to expand...
:thumb3:
 
sandcrawler said:
same 22” magnaflow i'm eyeing—don't want anything too loud. the fact that the aFe can be had for ~$280, versus ~$100 more for the TRD is a factor to consider.


:thumb3:
Click to expand...

If I had to do it again and the aFe is $100 cheaper, I would have gone that way. Like I said - I'm happy with the TRD, but I'm sure the aFe is just as good.
 
i totally hear you. my only conflict is that with 18 months of 3/36 warranty remaining the extra c-note might make the TRD worth it for the peace of mind factor... decisions!
 
The magnaflow is pretty loud above 2500 rpm. Haven't found time to put in the aFe yet. Will get it in this weekend. Hopefully it doesn't get too loud for my taste. Right now, its loud but not obnoxious. Only problem is that I am stomping on the gas pedal more often than before. :jump:
 
Ttn333 said:
The magnaflow is pretty loud above 2500 rpm. Haven't found time to put in the aFe yet. Will get it in this weekend. Hopefully it doesn't get too loud for my taste. Right now, its loud but not obnoxious. Only problem is that I am stomping on the gas pedal more often than before. :jump:
Click to expand...
the 22" magnaflow seems loud, huh? and that's without the intake yet. thought the 12586 was supposed to be the most subdued model...
 
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