Cold Air Intakes are they worth it

Brad Phlipot

Brad Phlipot

Member
Does the cost of a cold air intake filter outweigh the benefits? IMO? YES. I spent allot of time conducting research on what a cold air intake filter did and all the pros and cons, I read many reviews under the various products and did my own research after the fact.
K&N has several options one being a drop in filter for your existing air filter box (This is not a cold air intake) and the other being their complete kit but the problem with K&N is in the true sense of a cold air filter kit they are NOT. Your filter just hangs out in the open under the hood pulling in the heat of the engine compartment and on many newer vehicles K&N has had issues with setting a check engine code add that to they are not legal in all 50 states............ What to do?
For various reasons I chose the S&B cold air intake system. I have used them before and noted an increase on average of 1.5 to 2.0 miles per gallon but there is more. The S&B cold air intake made my trucks feel like they had a little more pep in their step and it was noticeable to me in the throttle response and you cannot discount the throaty sound of your engine gulping in a massive amount of air under heavy acceleration it is just that cool!
This is the filter I used as it fits the 2019 Tacoma V6, is legal in all 50 states and does not set check engine codes. If you are an enthusiast and on a budget this is the way to go and it takes less than a half hour to install. It just sounds bad ass too. Hope you enjoyed this write up, my two cents and if you choose this route I know you will love it too. Peace.
S&B Filters 75-5096 Cold Air Intake For 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L (Oiled Cleanable, 8-ply Cotton Filter) $299.00 on Amazon

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Brad Phlipot said:
Does the cost of a cold air intake filter outweigh the benefits? IMO? YES. I spent allot of time conducting research on what a cold air intake filter did and all the pros and cons, I read many reviews under the various products and did my own research after the fact.
K&N has several options one being a drop in filter for your existing air filter box (This is not a cold air intake) and the other being their complete kit but the problem with K&N is in the true sense of a cold air filter kit they are NOT. Your filter just hangs out in the open under the hood pulling in the heat of the engine compartment and on many newer vehicles K&N has had issues with setting a check engine code add that to they are not legal in all 50 states............ What to do?
For various reasons I chose the S&B cold air intake system. I have used them before and noted an increase on average of 1.5 to 2.0 miles per gallon but there is more. The S&B cold air intake made my trucks feel like they had a little more pep in their step and it was noticeable to me in the throttle response and you cannot discount the throaty sound of your engine gulping in a massive amount of air under heavy acceleration it is just that cool!
This is the filter I used as it fits the 2019 Tacoma V6, is legal in all 50 states and does not set check engine codes. If you are an enthusiast and on a budget this is the way to go and it takes less than a half hour to install. It just sounds bad ass too. Hope you enjoyed this write up, my two cents and if you choose this route I know you will love it too. Peace.
S&B Filters 75-5096 Cold Air Intake For 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L (Oiled Cleanable, 8-ply Cotton Filter) $299.00 on Amazon

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whippersnapper02 said:
OEM is cold air.
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I like the looks of the S&B intake. It look cool. But whip is right. The OEM is a true cold air intake on the taco with a good stock location.
 
Yes, from what I have seen by 1.5 to 2.0 mpg. I did allot of research before i went with S&B and this is not my first one. S&B is legal in all states, it is an enclosed system that pulls the air in from the stock air intake cutout in the wheel well or fender thus the air is COLD unlike the K&N where the filter is hanging out in the open under the hood pulling in all the hot air. The S&B will not set a check engine code either where some others will. With the large oiled filter (you want the cotton washable filter) and large intake pipe without the baffles like the stock breather tube the engine can gulp in that cold air. When you install (If you go with the S&B) filter it takes about 20 minutes and is super easy, on the front of the filter they include a rubber scoop and a rubber blank. I used the blank for several reasons, the original air intake hole is fine and the rubber scoop does not have a full unobstructed point of intake, further because it is in the front I was concerned about debris, squirrels etc getting in so i just snapped in the rubber blank. The filter assembly has a very nice rubber boot to complete the seal between the original air intake port and all the components fit very nicely. I hope this helps. OHHH, if you order direct from S&B they are out of stock and were not sure when they would be back in stock. Go to AMAZON and you can have it cheaper and within 2 days. I just got the S&B filter maintenance kit. This will keep your air filter clean and like new for years to come, one kit will do multiple cleanings. There are lots of short videos on how to clean the filter and when. Also this filter gives the engine a nice and smooth throaty sound under hard throttle, it performs very well.

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Claiming a 1 or 2 mpg increase with any mod is irevelant unless you're measuring over exact same trip, speed, and weather conditions. My milage varies on a daily basis, wether I run 60mph or 70mph, AC on or off, if I run it up over 4000 rpm on a get on ramp.
 
Looks and sounds great, I dont want to have to maintain an oiled filter though. I'll stick to stock for now. Great write up though, thanks Brad!
 
@whippersnapper02
Well they really are that easy, no the factory does not always make the wisest decisions on vehicle equipment they use the easiest disposable solution out there for the regular driver and so places like Jiffy Lube, PEP Boys can sell you a new filter and change it in minutes. As far as performance, air intake quality, engines ability to draw in as much air as possible efficiently? Sorry but the aftermarkets have that area cornered. As to my original Question are they worth it? Do you gain anything from them? YES! Horsepower.

Here is a simple video on how to service the S&B filter.
 
kp.taco said:
There goes the neighborhood.. smh
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We seem to be getting a lot of covert advertising lately... even tho this is the exact intake I've been looking at buying but, with the dry filter, I don't need the place that I go for a brain break...( this forum) getting garbled up with sales pitches and advertising... pretty sure I'm gonna go with the AFE now... [emoji1787]
 
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