..I'm not even sure how to respond to that.

 

Oh good, I was afraid I was the only one that didn't understand that...

 

And now we return to our regular scheduled program.....

 

Well, I pulled if off today...we'll see if it does anything.

 

is there a difference between where the 06 XA snorkel travels to compared to the 04, 05 XB's? Just curious

 

Wow - talk about consistency!
So, first off, I put my aftermarket tires and wheels back on. The stockers are WAY better for mileage, but after using the sticky G-Force Sports, I just feel like I'm riding on ice with them. With as many times as I get cut off, or have to make panic stops in my long commute, it just doesn't seem worth it. Not to mention them breaking loose when there's even the slightest hint of precipitation in the air, making the pavement a little damp.
So, I've taken a few tanks off from the quest for The Almighty MPG, and I'm back to driving "normally". I guess my "normal" is still pretty conservative compared to most; old habits (a fairly light foot on the gas, some coasting, etc.) die hard. Still, I've spent several stints up to 75 and even over 80, so I'm hardly "granny-ing" it, either.
Anyway, my point. All my tanks from since I pulled the snorkle and installed the K&N (*except of course when I was really going for MPG with the stock tires), driving "normally", have been almost identical! Considering how much my 160 mile rush hour drive can vary, I find that pretty amazing.
Here's a list:
37.05
36.51
37.26
37.74
35.74 (some A/C usage)
37.47
36.77
37.71
Other than the one tank that I had to use the A/C, there's a spread of just over 1 mpg! I hadn't realized that until I started looking over my logbook. I never had that kind of consistency before. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the mileage the intake changes allowed, or my driving style now, or even both? Either way, it certainly proves to me that the snorkle and filter ARE a viable and consistent improvement!
Anyway, I'm pretty amazed.
But then, I'm easily amused...

 

So you find the stock tires too slippery huh? Humm maybe the roads you drive on get oil buildup more than around here on the east coast because so far I have not broken the tires loose on a turn only on tapping the gas pedal in first and second. I am running the stock tires and rims (steel) and 39-42psi R/F for pressure and not a squeel from them at all.

 

Really? Wow. I only run 32 ft. / 30 rr., and nearly every time I turn a corner, and a few times just taking off in a straight line, they've squealed. That's dry. Its been "misty" a lot here lately, so the roads are just a bit damp, and forget-about-it! You'd think you were on black ice! Obviously, I'm not using that heavy a foot on the gas, either. (The couple of times I've gotten on it shortly after I got the car, I could easily spin the tires shifting into 2nd, and even got a chirp into 3rd a couple of times.)
In heavy rain/puddles, they hydroplane like mad. I've slid halfway across a freeway lane after hitting an area of standing water. I'm not so macho as not to admit I was in for a change of BVDs after that one...
Dry braking sucks, too - at least in hard, panic-type stops. They lock up WAY too easily. I've had to modulate to keep control several times. I can stand on the brakes with the G-Forces with no lock-up at all, and I'm probably stopping in 15-20 ft. shorter distances at 65 or 70mph as well.
All that said, SoCal roads ARE known for their bad oil buildup, most likely due to their unbelievably heavy usage, and especially with long periods of no rain.

 

So are any of those mpg tank values with the aftermarket tires? I know on my buddies toyota solara he switch to some grippier tires and saw a decrease in mileage. I want to say like 3-5mpg.
As far as the stock wheels go, I haven't had any issues. They even seem ok on ice. Wet pavement has never been an issue for me. I'm happy to finally be back on stock wheels though. The car is so much quieter again without those studded tires! Not to mention I can glide and coast better.

 

Yup, all of them are with aftermarket tires. I used to get about 3-4 mpg better with the stockers before the snorkle, etc. changes.

 

Well Box, I know its been quite a while...but the snorkle is under my bed (with the rest of the OEM parts I dont use.

That bad boy only took 90 seconds to pop off, then I reset my EFI and took a little spin around the hood so the EFI could get a clue, my first impression of driving without the snorkle was it seemed like the box could finally breath! The easier acceleration made the car feel lighter, very cool. Ill keep you posted as to the results.

 

That's kinda the same feeling I had after I took mine off. Transitioning from very light load to an uphill moderate load while feathering the throttle, it seems like it has a little more response, seems a little "lighter", and a little easier to climb at moderate throttle.
BTW I just filled up last night. Not my best mpg tank but 41mpg 460 miles! 11.1 gallons! 41mpg I was chicken to go any further.

 

No need to go further my friend, if I could get that mileage week in and week out Id be stoked! But thats just me! 460 miles...Im not worthy, lol

 

Very cool, ICE - I've been waiting for you to rip that thing out! That was pretty much my "butt dyno" feeling about the change as well. I hope it works as well for you mileage-wise, too.
And ak - you da man! That's some more awesome results!

 

Nice going akxb !! I am still hovering around 40mpg for this half tank again.
BoxOffice - hydroplaning yeah did that twice in one day once on the highway at about 55 because of a dip puddle and then up a steep hill at 45 in third at full throttle but they have been stopping great and the abs will kick in when needed too but never a squeel have I heard.

 

Is there anything you need to do after taking off the snorkel? I am by no means a mechanic or a real diy'er. Can you just take it off and go or is there more to it?

 

Nope - that's it, as far as my procedure went.
Others have mentioned the advantage of re-setting your ECU, but I never had any ill effects without doing so, and saw mileage and (slight) power improvements immediately.
(*That's not offering advice in either direction, mind you, just my own experience...)

 

Ok thanks. Is there any way to tell you would need to re-set your ECU or is it just a personal preference some people want to, some don't see the need?

 

See page 6 of this thread for some discussion on it.
For actual instructions, see here: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33062
(*compliments of SL member "Tomas")

 

I reset my ECU when I pulled off my snorkel. So I can't speak from the experience of someone who did one without the other but the whole process took less than a minute to pull and 10 minutes of waiting (gave me time to clean out the car while I waited) so I don't see the real disadvantaged of doing it...I figured "might as well while the hood is already open."