My Prius v (lowercase v) Mods

You almost realized the problem: that air that comes back out of yhe cylinder when the valves close late? It has been heated by the cylinder. While injen can sell you a cold air intake, it will not result in cold air.

 

We have naturally cold air here.

 

You can't sweat what other people say. If you're happy, that's all that matters.

I remember getting the same response when I installed one of these. And I couldn't be happier with it.

 

I had a k&n CAI on my Chevy cruze eco manual trans.

It is well known on the cruze fourms that the k&n CAI really does make a marked improvement in throttle response and sounds really good while doing so..... And I can attest to this statement.

There does not seem to be much if any info available about the benefits of a CAI on a prius, although by reading this thread it seems most everyone seems to think its pointless, I don't know why and have no imput on the topic.

Then again, as long as there is no ill effects to mounting one on the prius and what you are going for is the sound which I'll admit is pretty darn cool then I say go for it.

 

From the INJEN site in the section describing the benefits of their Prius CAI product: "Specifically built for radical top-end power gains in high-performance autos". For a Prius?

My stock '12 v sucks air from the right side of the radiator where the air is cool.

The stock air filter filters dirt out of the air by trapping it. Would a "reusable, high-performance cotton-gauze air filter with a built-in velocity stack" do this with the same effectiveness as the stock replaceable filters? I don't see INJEN providing any evidence of this. Most of the filters used in aftermarket CAIs, in independent tests I've seen, don't. More dirt and bigger particles aren't good for the engine.

And generally, when you change the tune of a car, you give up something in one RPM range to gain something in another RPM range. The car makers seek a compromise based on the probable use of the vehicle. Tuners often try for the biggest HP, low end be darned.

Citing a gain at MPH as opposed to a gain at a specific RPM isn't usual.

Those who achieve results from their tuning generally post comparative dyno graphs so folks can see the effect on torque and HP over the entire range. Often the effective mods are numerous, involve intake, exhaust and ECU, and are very expensive per HP gained. With many false starts and replace this mod with that before they achieve the right balance.

Your car, your money, your choice.

 

Do it, post pics.

 

1960s CAI...

 

Haha, the ONLY way to get a 10HP increase out of free-flowing air intake is to match it with corresponding cat-back exhaust modifications, and then likely re-calibrate the AFR with a dyno tune. The mods and pictures are cute, and likely to give a slight increase in mpg, but the other claims are mostly in your head. I ride a 100+ HP Harley-Davidson and have invested nearly 10K in the motor and 10.5:1 compression ratio, so I understand a little bit about horsepower gains.

 

Please tell us more about this discrete TPMS.

 

I was excited to hear that there is an intake for the v, then checked the Injen site and it is not listed specifically for the v. I realize that it may fit, but no matter what Injen notes that for newer Toyota/Lexus models their intakes will remove a carbon element and will fail CARB smog testing.

Sad to say I am not interested in something I have to swap out come smog time. (I'm also concerned with the loud sound.)

If colder intake air is coming in, I would have to say that there should be some power gain. Even if hot air is pumped back out the intake valves it would come into some contact with cooler intake air to net some cooling effect. 10 degrees seems significant to me. Problems arise from standstill as heat from the engine can sneak into the unsealed filter element, but moving...

I'm surprised you/the OP didn't bring up the fact that a lot of intake manufacturers, including Injen, have switched to/have optioned synthetic/dry media which have very good filtering properties, and no need for oil.

Thanks for sharing your mods with us! I noticed you used Gorilla brand locks on the wheels. You might like The System as it would make the nuts all locks and the one lock doesn't stick out like a sore thumb...

 

Any update?

 

Thanks!

 

Eric v,
do you mind posting of the side mirror with the 3m clear film? I did mine but the installer did not cover up to the edges... just kinda like 3/4 of the side mirros.