TRD Cold Air Intake

[bfurches]

ok, who has it and what do you think?
im going to install the trd intake tomorow, just wanted a heads up on opinions. i was going to go blitz, but you cant argue with free :)
i've installed a few and found the tone to be pretty nice, but for those of you who have other intakes and have heard the trd, whats your comparison?

[Zillon]

TRD = AEM, no?

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time.

[bfurches]

why do you say that? As far as performance gains, its essentially identical across the board.

[Zillon]

Well, since it's free, go for it...

I just think it's an ugly intake, and overly complicated.

[bfurches]

thats true, there are a ton of bends to it, bot oh-well lol.

[revjolly]

+1 for plenty bends.

[xA_Factor]

I've the TRD CAI. Yeah, it's got a few bends, but they're fairly smooth bends. It is a rebadged AEM unit. In fact, the box that it came in said, in small print, "AEM". It comes with the standard AEM oiled filter, though it's stamped with the TRD logo...but it's clearly an AEM filter. The only change that I made was to replace the oiled filter with an AEM Dry-Flow filter. One nice touch is that it comes with the water by-pass valve....not really needed, but good to have.

No trouble with installation and fitment...even with foglamps.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/BlkS/xA003.jpg

[bfurches]

yea, as i mentioned, ive done quite a few of these so far, just curious as to a flat out comparison between this intake and others on the market.

[xA_Factor]

Oops....misread your post. I thought you were wanting any heads-up on the install.

Honestly, most intakes are probably about the same as far as power produced. Figure 3-5 hp tops. So it really boils down to what individuals like....i.e., short-ram, cold-air, polished, painted, ect.

I went with the TRD because I liked it. Plus I'm a little less likely to get warranty hassles.

[bfurches]

^ditto

[dexter_5000]

in your case its free so just do it. find time to compare later. honestly free are usally the best ways to go.

[bfurches]

were going to have to park ours side by side in boston to compare :)

[dexter_5000]

ok i'm pretty sure mine will be louder though. its kind of massive. i have friends that call it the man eating intake able to consume small children whole. one comment i got at exposed was could you fit anything bigger under there.

[bfurches]

lol, nice

[dexter_5000]

i need to get a buddy to help me do a sound clip of the intake and exhaust.

[SaintJ]

maybe a little off topic, but does anyone know if any CAI's for the 06 xA are CARB legal

[bfurches]

TRD and AEM too i believe
(same thing)

[xA_Factor]

I'm not aware of any intakes for the '06 that are C.A.R.B. certified.

AEM makes two intakes, the short cold air (not a short-ram) and the long cold air. It's the long cold air and the TRD that are the same...save the TRD decal on the tubing and the TRD stamped into the filter. Other than that, they are identical.

[dexter_5000]

not carb legal though cause the 06 has the charoal filter in the air box.

[bfurches]

^isnt that only on cali models?

[dexter_5000]

nope all 06 models have it

[dexter_5000]

how is the trd intake noticiable any or just kind of moderate?

[bfurches]

...as far as sound or performance?

[dexter_5000]

how about both.

[bfurches]

sound isnt too bad. its right around there with any other low displacement aem style intake, as far as performance i did notice a little more oomph. i know a lot of people say its psycologica, but i dunno, seemed quite more responsive.

[illist]

but i dunno, seemed quite more responsive.

It should. :)

[SaintJ]

^isnt that only on cali models?

I think only 3 states have clean air acts which would include having the CARB legal stuff for autos. i could be wrong though, as i read it once some months ago.

[illist]

All 2006 have the charcoal pre-filter.

Removing it would be considered removing an emissions device.

Take it how you want.

[Zillon]

All 2006 have the charcoal pre-filter.

Removing it would be considered removing an emissions device.

Take it how you want.

LOL really?

Whoops... :od:

[illist]

LOL really?

Whoops... :od:


lol. ditto! :od:

the pre-filter is there to catch unburnt fuel vapors when shutting off the car, etc.. When the car is restarted.. they disappear nicely into the intake. ( i believe)

[dexter_5000]

the blitz felt more responsive thats for sure. as for laws it varys from state to state i thought too. i got my sticker with it the machine didn't care obviously when they scanned the car so i guess i'm ok.

[illist]

Yeah, it's not something that'll stop your car from passing, etc.



the blitz felt more responsive thats for sure. as for laws it varys from state to state i thought too. i got my sticker with it the machine didn't care obviously when they scanned the car so i guess i'm ok.

[dexter_5000]

depends on the tech who is inspecting it really its their inspection licesense on the line.

[illist]

right... not the machine..

how many techs you know are looking for pre filters on the intake?

not many around here care.. at all.

depends on the tech who is inspecting it really its their inspection licesense on the line.

[dexter_5000]

i doubt many of them even know.

[bfurches]

Well, i installed my TRD intake yesterday and i was very impressed with the quality. On SL, they refer to the system as being very "cheaply" designed and not very high quality on the finish of the product, but i strongly disagree. The system is very versatile considering it can be used in either an xB or an xA, and for vehicles 04-05, it carries carb certification. The welds around the port for the MAF are very nice and fit was greatI instantly noticed that the car was quite louder, and even more-so than with the half intake system i had previously fabed up. I also noticed the car seems to idle a lot smoother with a lot less shake.

Pros:
TRD part (even if it is by aem)
High luster finish
Bypass Valve on upper piping
CARB cert. for 04-05 vehicles
Fills area left behind by old air box
Keeps filter out of engine bay

Cons:
Highly priced for the "off the street" guyy
arguably too many bends (but at the same time can be visually pleasing)
With after market radiators, very tight fit. (right up against the fan shroud wityh my koyo)

Installation is about a 2 out of 5.

[bfurches]

right... not the machine..

how many techs you know are looking for pre filters on the intake?

not many around here care.. at all.

unfortunately some techs are just SUPER anal, as well as cops. on my 00 Monte Carlo i was stopped for my vehicle being to loud and was ticketed for having an after market intake. At the time i didn't even have my exhaust yet. As for stickers, on my last car a tech who i work with wouldn't even pass me because my tint registered about 31% instead of 35! Trust me, theres sticker Nazis out there.

....but regardless, im sure you wont have too many issues, just shedding some light.

[bfurches]

heres some pics...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/bfurches/P1010012.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/bfurches/P1010008.jpg

[oldmanatee]

I like the way it fills the gap!

[bfurches]

thats one of the reasons i got it...and oh yea, the free part helped too :)

[oldmanatee]

Well the free part would get my attention as well......

[xA_Factor]

Intake looks good. BTW, I like your 3.0 STB.

[mine]

I also noticed the car seems to idle a lot smoother with a lot less shake.


heh i've noticed that too...

but after i installed all my power mods including my voltage stablizer, its smooth as a hot knife cutting threw butter!!!

agency power pulley, intake, dc header, pivot voltage stablizer, diy ground wire kit (done to the ut most extream (got bored))

[bfurches]

how do you like the pulley mine?