Removed Charcoal Filter

[Captain Yaris]

I haven't done much since I mounted wheels and tires due to an upcoming job change. I've been getting kind of antsy so I decided to remove the charcoal air filter in the intake box. I know it doesn't do a lot in the performance department, especially since the rest of my car is stock, but I wanted to tinker with something and I've been wanting to do a CAI. This is my prelude to that. I am running a stock air filter and I have found an improvement despite it. The throttle feels smoother and punchy. There's a small improvement in sound and overall it feels a little stronger midrange. I'm totally stoked and can't wait to continue the improvements. Btw, my new job is half the driving which I'm doing now. It will bring me down to the national avg miles and it won't beat my car up like my old drive did. As far as intakes go, any suggestions? :evil:

[deng]

I'd personally go with K&N, I also like aFe's design.

[malibuguy]

Yes thats any easy first mod. Be sure to clean your MAF regularly. I do mine every 15k

The stock intake works very well otherwise.

[Jeanseb29]

I bought a used HB RS 2011 2-3 months ago after my '09 RS was drowned in a flash flood. I saved the 09' original airbox and did the swiss cheese airbox mod. 10 dime size hole in front and 8 dime size hole on driver side (bottom part of the airbox). Removed the charcoal filter, removed the trumpet tube and dropped in a K&N filter. I really love how it sounds now and don't see a reason to spend 500$CAD on a complete K&N intake. Was worried about water getting in box when driving in deep puddle of water but after opening the box on 3 different occasion after driving in very wet conditions, only once i saw a couple of drops of water at the bottom of the box.

MalibuGuy: How do you clean the MAF? What product do you use?

[SirDigby]

How do you clean the MAF? What product do you use?

BG is the best Product! you remove it, spray it down, let it dry, install.
https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-mass-air-flow-sensor-cleaner/#bg-product-13

[ACKING_QC]

remove the airbox snorkel too... you'll have epic induction noises

[Captain Yaris]

Awesome info, I'll definitely look into the snorkel.

[ncp13]

Toyota brake cleaner :)

[deng]

I'd advise not removing the snorkel, there's a reason why it's routed the way it is. Without it, well, you'll be sucking in the hot air that's flowed through the radiator.

[tmontague]

^this is true, if you are going to remove the snorkel then I'd recommend blocking the snorkel hole with something and then cutting out the front and lateral sides of the air box so that the air doesn't come directly from the hot engine.

Back when I did this years ago I had used a dremel to cut out pieces of the sides of the air box. I then used one of those pieces and some jb weld to fuse it to the snorkel hole opening so that no more air came from the engine side

[Jeanseb29]

I'd advise not removing the snorkel, there's a reason why it's routed the way it is. Without it, well, you'll be sucking in the hot air that's flowed through the radiator.Your advise make sense but in my case, since in live in a cold climate and don't drive aggressively or do frequent long drive, I don't think it could become a problem. Do you think a scangauge 2 could give me the average air temp in the air intake?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Jeanseb29]

BG is the best Product! you remove it, spray it down, let it dry, install.
https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-mass-air-flow-sensor-cleaner/#bg-product-13Thanks

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[malibuguy]

I use CRC MAF cleaner but it doesnt matter what brand you use as long as its from a reputable company.

And yes keep the snorkle...first its a high entry to prevent water ingestion and its placed right near a fresh air path that goes around the radiator.

I dynod mine wayy back and we tested the snorkle and saw no real difference other then a smidge loss in the midrange without the snorkle. Basically you only get some extra sound

[ncp13]

I checked today at cruise 120km/h blitz not operating 65C intake air with the snorkel off. Outside temp was 33C. Snorkel is going on tomorrow. :)