Air meter/battery swap?

Discussion in 'Engine/Drivetrain' started by Ponyryd, Oct 15, 2023.

  1. Ponyryd

    Ponyryd Enthusiast

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    Why is the air flow meter on the wrong side in our trucks? Mine has an open-element air filter so I’m only getting warm engine bay air anyway, but running an intake tube across the rad to connect to the throttle body seems pretty inefficient. Has anyone here swapped it to the other side? Yes, I did a search and found nothing.
     
  2. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Its been done. Its a very popular mod actually. No real DIY instructions out there that i ever saw
     
  3. Justin Danger

    Justin Danger Toyotaholic

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    My first truck had it done. it is very common mod on the 22re in places that don't have Smog Inspections.
     
  4. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    Been there, done that. Being in Cali it's not a good idea. Not sure why Toyota did it, laziness? Maybe? Could be the whole "warmer air helps vaporize the fuel" thing, maybe for emissions?
    If you don't have to worry about some state entity hanging you for it, do it.
    If you're handy, fab up a dam to keep the radiator heat away from your intake and maybe route cold air from the front or bottom of the truck.
    The, if you haven't figured it out yet, diameter of the AFM outlet and the throttle body inlet are 2 3/4", or 70mm.
    I moved the battery under the bed so I wouldn't have the extra crap in the engine bay.
     
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  5. Erwin Merida

    Erwin Merida Toyotaholic

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    Screenshot_20231016-041309~2.png a real cold air intake will be set up like this with a air dam blocking engine bay air, fed through the bottom where the battery was.
     
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  6. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    It would help to insulate that elbow as well, it'll pick up heat from the radiator hose. Even some cheap "Gold" Aluminized, self stick heat barrier from ebay would do the job. I use it, it works.

    In that pic, the elbow is aa 3" with reducing couplings on each end, not good. Should have a 2 3/4" elbow there, metal or just silicone. Might be better to use a 45 degree bend as well. Keep in mind, the more you bend it the more it restricts airflow.

    For those looking for every last bit of power with this mod, I know i'm getting a bit out there with this, use the late model upper manifold. The early model, pre '89, has a slight down angle to the throttle body. The later model has a straight TB mount. Grind a radius on the inside of the plenum directing the flow to #1 cylinder. A 1" spacer helps a tad bit there as well.

    Sorry, can't help myself.
     
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  7. Ponyryd

    Ponyryd Enthusiast

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    Power? Lol, I just want to clean up the bay a little. Would love to remove a bunch of crap from there, but honestly I don’t like car shows, much and even if I go I park at the back and leave my hood closed. This is just for me, and I hate when something just look wrong like this.
     
  8. MrDinkleman

    MrDinkleman Addict

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    Ooo! Ooo! Ooo!

    Since the thread has somewhat evolved to discussing cleaning up the engine bay.... do you have any pics? I've been thinking about moving my battery to under the bed on the passenger side, like the old Mazda REPUs...
     
  9. Erwin Merida

    Erwin Merida Toyotaholic

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    The pic was for reference. But you are correct! You can even take it a step further and use something like an air to water ice tank or even use a h2o/meth sprayed intercooler. I would keep the stock unit around for that special bi annual date you get with the inspector!
     
  10. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    Find a good spot opposite the exhaust, and take the opportunity to put in a smaller battery. I used a + remote post from an E36 I had spare and put that on the firewall. Strapped the ground directly to the block.
    Made it easy to put the stock intake on for smog.
     
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  11. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    For an easy, cleaner look LC Engineering/performance has a C.A.R.B EOed (50 state legal) intake set-up with a stainless cross pipe and cast AFM/filter mount. Save the hassle of mounting the battery anywhere else. A bit pricey though.
     
  12. Erwin Merida

    Erwin Merida Toyotaholic

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    For battery relocation I second that remote post idea. Makes leaps of difference when needing to jump/charge/test hookups!
     
  13. Ponyryd

    Ponyryd Enthusiast

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    Thx, a bit pricey yes, also on backorder.
    https://www.lceperformance.com/LC-Pro-Air-Intake-Kit-22RE-EFI-89-95-p/1061508.htm
    Seems like it may hold a bunch of heat in that shiny crossover though.
     
  14. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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  15. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    I like the remote terminal, but I have seen it done where the starter battery post is used.
     
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  16. Erwin Merida

    Erwin Merida Toyotaholic

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    I'd put the posts driver side, under the cowl.. with an access door/latch like the gas doors have. The battery right at the end of the transmission passenger side.
     
  17. sirdeuce

    sirdeuce Veteran

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    Don't forget the battery cut-out switch.
     
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