Banks Ram-Air Intake for the 4th Gen Tacoma. Everything you need to know.

[TacoMagnetic]

Will there ever be a dry filter variant again for banks CAI?

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[gmalkmus]

Just installed the Banks.

the bad:
- the whole thing came out of the box covered in grease. Got super gross trying to install this thing.
- it’s so quiet. I swear it’s quieter than stock, which is a HUGE letdown. I should have just kept the stock box if I wanted to hear the turbo. Now I can hardly tell it’s there. Compared to the SXTH intake, the Banks is at least 150% quieter.

The good:

- truck has better throttle response and seems to run smooth.

honest opinion: should have kept the SXTH for the sound alone. Really hoping the upcoming turbo inlet will give the Banks intake more sound. Very disappointed with the sound the Banks makes.

 

[TacoMagnetic]

Just installed the Banks.

the bad:
- the whole thing came out of the box covered in grease. Got super gross trying to install this thing.
- it’s so quiet. I swear it’s quieter than stock, which is a HUGE letdown. I should have just kept the stock box if I wanted to hear the turbo. Now I can hardly tell it’s there. Compared to the SXTH intake, the Banks is at least 150% quieter.

The good:

- truck has better throttle response and seems to run smooth.

honest opinion: should have kept the SXTH for the sound alone. Really hoping the upcoming turbo inlet will give the Banks intake more sound. Very disappointed with the sound the Banks makes.

If want it louder, you can remove the side cover.

When you say covered in grease, can you clarify? Do you have photos?

 

[ScottyMcfly]

If want it louder, you can remove the side cover.

When you say covered in grease, can you clarify? Do you have photos?

that's good to know about that side panel can be removed... Thank you for that

 

[gmalkmus]

You can see the whole thing looks like it has tire shine on it and there are greasy finger prints all over the engine bay from getting it all over my hands. Easily wiped onto a paper towel too.

I left the plug on the side because your social media team has said that the side plug can only be removed in dry conditions.

 

[ScottyMcfly]

You can see the whole thing looks like it has tire shine on it and there are greasy finger prints all over the engine bay from getting it all over my hands. Easily wiped onto a paper towel too.

I left the plug on the side because your social media team has said that the side plug can only be removed in dry conditions. Really unfortunate that I have to risk a wet filter just to be able to hear my $400 air intake.

I just found this

 

[TacoMagnetic]

You can see the whole thing looks like it has tire shine on it and there are greasy finger prints all over the engine bay from getting it all over my hands. Easily wiped onto a paper towel too.

I left the plug on the side because your social media team has said that the side plug can only be removed in dry conditions. Really unfortunate that I have to risk a wet filter just to be able to hear my $400 air intake.

Thank you for providing a photo. The coating is not grease; it's a silicone spray used to pull the part from the mold. It's supposed to be wiped off at the factory. Apologies for the mess.

Regarding the sound, the Banks Ram-Air Intake is designed to maximize power and air flow to the system. This is why you are noticing better throttle response. With Banks, the side cover is for the guys who run a snorkel, so it's optional to remove the side panel if you would like to increase the sound. The good part, you can re-add it if you would like to.

SXTH appears louder for a few reasons. One, plexiglass lid allows sound out, it's not fully enclosed. Two, the filter and tubing are much smaller. You can hear the air rushing through the metal mesh. Airflow is louder when it travels through a smaller orifice. As for the side cover, the SXTH offers nothing at all. So the risk for wet environments is always there; drainage is poor. That's why we've seen reports of pools of water at the bottom of the intake housing.

 

[Ruckus]

Regarding the sound, the Banks Ram-Air Intake is designed to maximize power and air flow to the system. This is why you are noticing better throttle response. With Banks, the side cover is for the guys who run a snorkel, so it's optional to remove the side panel if you would like to increase the sound. The good part, you can re-add it if you would like to.

SXTH appears louder for a few reasons. One, plexiglass lid allows sound out, it's not fully enclosed. Two, the filter and tubing are much smaller. You can hear the air rushing through the metal mesh. Airflow is louder when it travels through a smaller orifice. As for the side cover, the SXTH offers nothing at all. So the risk for wet environments is always there; drainage is poor. That's why we've seen reports of pools of water at the bottom of the intake housing.

I've had y'all's intake installed on my SR5 with an OTT Tune for a couple months now. It's a great intake and the sound is very noticeable, much louder than stock, without the side plug.

Seeing the mentions of only running without the plug in dry environments, am I at risk running with no side plug as a daily driver in varied weather conditions? I live in Texas for reference.

 

[TacoMagnetic]

I've had y'all's intake installed on my SR5 with an OTT Tune for a couple months now. It's a great intake and the sound is very noticeable, much louder than stock, without the side plug.

Seeing the mentions of only running without the plug in dry environments, am I at risk running with no side plug as a daily driver in varied weather conditions? I live in Texas for reference.

Are you driving in heavy rain and puddles, or is it just moist and mostly dry?

 

[theDLR]

Ordered some charge pipes a while back, and out of all the aftermarket companies i've dealt with or had parts from to install onto my vehicles, you guys hands down have the best set of instructional docs to go along with the part being installed. Step by step videos and pics and full write up. I was impressed.

Most companies either have very vague instructions to "i had to find someone else who made a video on youtube" in order to figure out installation of the part.

I even needed an extra silicone elbow for my custom install with the charge pipes and the customer service rep was able to send an extra one with my purchase.

Shout out to all the staff!

On another note, you guys don't make custom parts do you?

 

[Ruckus]

Are you driving in heavy rain and puddles, or is it just moist and mostly dry?

Occasionally heavy rains.

 

[goin2drt]

Just installed the Banks.

the bad:
- the whole thing came out of the box covered in grease. Got super gross trying to install this thing.
- it’s so quiet. I swear it’s quieter than stock, which is a HUGE letdown. I should have just kept the stock box if I wanted to hear the turbo. Now I can hardly tell it’s there. Compared to the SXTH intake, the Banks is at least 150% quieter.

The good:

- truck has better throttle response and seems to run smooth.

honest opinion: should have kept the SXTH for the sound alone. Really hoping the upcoming turbo inlet will give the Banks intake more sound. Very disappointed with the sound the Banks makes.

Huge win here. Now I can't wait for the dry filter option. I am in the camp that does not want to hear a puny 4 banger turbo whine. I guess I am old. To know this increases performance and does not make it sound like a rice burner I am all in.

 

[lauren01]

Huge win here. Now I can't wait for the dry filter option. I am in the camp that does not want to hear a puny 4 banger turbo whine. I guess I am old. To know this increases performance and does not make it sound like a rice burner I am all in.

My thoughts exactly. I’d ride a Harley if it were quiet.

 

[gmalkmus]

Huge win here. Now I can't wait for the dry filter option. I am in the camp that does not want to hear a puny 4 banger turbo whine. I guess I am old. To know this increases performance and does not make it sound like a rice burner I am all in.

If you want to keep it quiet, just stick with stock. Also, I’ve literally never had a single issue with oiled filters over dozens of cars and hundreds of thousands of miles. Overblown concern, just don’t put too much oil on it when you clean it.

 

[goin2drt]

If you want to keep it quiet, just stick with stock. Also, I’ve literally never had a single issue with oiled filters over dozens of cars and hundreds of thousands of miles. Overblown concern, just don’t put too much oil on it when you clean it.

No concern about performance of oiled. I never said that . They are a PITA. Messy, no fun to clean, you need 2 unless you want to wait hours before installing and the list goes on. Done plenty of oiled filters in my past. Hard pass.

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