• Welcome to Tacoma3G.com, a free resource for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma owners!

    This website is the passion-project of a USMC veteran/mechanic, @Tyler. I created Tacoma3G.com to share my knowledge of this subject with others and to provide like-minded folks with a comfortable space to ask questions and create 'build threads' within our Tacoma Forums. Now, if the format of this website is confusing to navigate for you, or if you're interested in my full mission and T3G's history, check out the Help and About pages.

Performance Air intake and exhaust recommendations

They aren't really worth the performance per dollar on these trucks.

I installed an aFe intake/exhaust on ours a couple weeks ago. Awesome quality products that SOUND great on the 3.5 (if you are into it,) but I think performance increases are pretty minimal. Kinda knew that going in though.
 
Last edited:
Victory4x4 said:
They aren't really worth the performance per dollar on these trucks.

I installed an aFe intake/exhaust on mine a couple weeks ago. Awesome quality products that SOUND great on the 3.5 (if you are into it,) but I think performance increases are pretty minimal. Kinda knew that going in though.
Click to expand...
Tacomas are not hybrids there truck, you’re not going to get anything better than 17-20 mpg thats the true fact! Trucks are trucks tbh.
 
I installed a K & N filter into the factory box, and welded in an 18 inch Magnaflow muffler. I noticed a small difference with performance. It's a little louder than I wanted so I am going to add a resonator to absorb a portion of the noise.
 
I am extremely happy with my K&N intake and Gibson stainless exhaust after roughly 18 months of use.
20180313_192804.webp
 
Victory4x4 said:
They aren't really worth the performance per dollar on these trucks.

I installed an aFe intake/exhaust on ours a couple weeks ago. Awesome quality products that SOUND great on the 3.5 (if you are into it,) but I think performance increases are pretty minimal. Kinda knew that going in though.
Click to expand...
Interesting to see your response on little performance gains on installing a cold air intake. I would like to think you would see a 5hp gain.
 
My experience with the K&N Cai with the Gibson exhaust seems to be a significant increase in throttle response. There is much less lag between full throttle at foot to full throttle under the hood. Before adding these my truck was dangerously inconsistent when passing or getting out of the way of someone else. I do agree that gains in hp are insignificant. Gains are only in timing of throttle response which, in my opinion, made the investment very worthwhile at roughly $500.
 
My truck would actually stumble with the stock setup. When I floored it, there was a pause, and then acceleration. Similar to the reactions of an old V8 4 barrel that would flood when you stomped on the pedal. I wish I did not need the cai because of the noise level but adding the exhaust balanced out the sound. As others have stated it is a truck and the only major performance gain would be spending nearly $800 for the OVTune. Then you would see real hp gains at lower rpm's. My biggest disappointment is the exhaust system. I had planned on headers but the exhaust is not made to accept headers. Then again it is a truck and does get great mpg. Everything is a trade off. I look at the mpg gain over my 4.0 2nd gen truck. The 2nd gen ran great but got the mpg of a full sized F150.
 
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations, went with the K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust. Definitely not a major gain in hp but there is a big difference in the mid-range acceleration. Very happy with the sound of both, especially when flooring it to get on the highway or passing. There's very little to no lag now when I want it to move.


IMG_5357.webp

IMG_5358.webp
 
sporttrd3gnj said:
Thanks to all for the feedback and recommendations, went with the K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust. Definitely not a major gain in hp but there is a big difference in the mid-range acceleration. Very happy with the sound of both, especially when flooring it to get on the highway or passing. There's very little to no lag now when I want it to move.


View attachment 9635
View attachment 9636
Click to expand...
I have that exact same setup.

No issues at all and it sounds great.
 
I have the k&n Cai but I have the MRBP performance xp cat back with 3 1/2 inch tip black I love the setup definitely worth it loud pipes save lives I like to say
 
i just installed an intake from Amazon, it did improve my throttle response, I've done this mod in all the vehicles i ever own and to me is worth it, plus the sound the engine makes is really nice without having to heard it all the time like an exhaust system. the truck accelerates so much easier now.
the one thing that sucks is that i was getting constant 20.5 21mpg now im a constant 18.3 18.7 and i tried driving normal and aggressive with no change.
i do like the sound and response so im keeping it, the intake was 120 bucks i believe, with the filter with the large opening and its a dry filter.
 
Back
Top