I did as much research as could, and I'm still kind of this way and that way. I'm not sure what I should do. As for the overall decision on the type i'm leaning toward Cold Air. But what is the the good route to go? Is it best to buy a brand name straight up for a costly price, or go ebay on the pipe and buy a brand filter?

After all I'm learning that a metal pipe is a metal pipe, but really is it? What about fitment, placement, and what about the MAF sensor? What about pricing compared to quality? Let's also take into consideration HP/TQ Gain. I also hear that a race land pipe is a good decision.

I'm late on tuning a tc, and i'm sort of lucky to have so many of you try and experiment already with all the different choices. So what do you guys think?

 

I went with a raceland CAI after a lot of research. Thus far, im stoked on it. Seems to do its job just fine and is so much cheaper than the other CAI's and SRI's. As for a filter, just get a new one. I have yet to do so as it is winter time and i will let the raceland one take the winter beating.

So far, i have nothing but good things to say about Race land.

 

i have a TRD intake and I can honestly say, not worth the money unless youre going for asthetics like me...if you want best performance, Injen is your way to go, cheapest "quality" intake would probably be the Raceland. They have very subtle differences...such as the bend angle and pipe diameter...but generally for our cars, an intake wouldnt really add any noticeable HP/TQ.

 

If you keep looking around you can find a good priced name brand one. I found my injen on craigslist for 120 barely used. It came as a sri and cai with the hydroshield. I sold the exact same one couple years ago for 100.

 

I have Injen in my tC for three years now and Im still happy with it. It looks good the sound it make when I get on the pedal sound beasty and the filter it came with is reusable. The tubing is solid, and the MAF sensor is perfectly positioned to where I haven't had not one problem what so ever!

 

As long as you have a good filter and the pipe diameter at the MAF sensor is the same as stock, it shouldn't matter.

I'm running an Injen intake since I got a good deal on it, and I'm very happy with it. I can't speak to the fitment of the pipes you see on ebay, but if you're worried about it go with a name brand.

 

I appreciate the input so far.