https://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/01/ftc-validates-right-to-install-aftermarket-parts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

 

I think this is in regards to using an aftermarket part of the same design instead of the OEM part.

I do not think this is applicable to removing an OEM intake and replacing it with a Cold Air Intake....

Also, "The dealer/vehicle manufacturer has the right to deny a warranty repair but they must demonstrate that the aftermarket part caused the problem. The warranty remains in effect for all other covered parts."

 

Just be careful you don't break an axle with all the torque you will gain.

 

Dealer/manufacturer Warranty - Depends on the dealer, your relationship with them, cost and type of related repair.
Aftermarket/Extended warranty - For sure

For denial, it has to be a related issue. They can't refuse to repair a window/door related issue due to an aftermarket CAI.

I ran into something similar with an aftermarket CAI on my Passat in 2010. Dealer initially refused to look into the issue (car was getting random fuel cutout at hwy speeds) but then advised me to bring it back with the original intake for VW warranty compliance. They identified it as a HP fuel pump problem and fixed it, a couple of weeks before my warranty ran out.

My advice would be that if you plan to make the switch, ensure that it doesn't get logged under your profile at the dealer. If it does as something like "customer has done aftermarket engine modification..." dealers can be very creative when denying genuine warranty repairs.

 

A few things come to mind:

1) TRW Sparks is NOT Toyota. They are a franchise dealer. While dealers are the first line in the warranty process, Toyota USA may or may not agree with their opinion and might not pay the claim.

2) Intake and exhaust modifications can have an impact on Federal or CAFE emissions results, and thus might be in violation of the law.

3) A number of independent studies have shown that oiled filters do not protect against particulates as well as properly engineered disposable filters. In the event of engine damage, Toyota might invalidate your claim.

 

I guess my question is why would you want to do this? We are still talking about a van are we not?

 

"TRD Sparks" is a Toyota dealer and is not owned by Toyota but TRD (Toyota Racing Development) is. TRD brand accessories including TRD cold air intakes are covered under the Toyota vehicle warranty when installed before the vehicle sale.

I agree that a cold air intake system on Sienna seems a bit silly but that didn't stop TRD from selling them for the Toyota pickup trucks. Maybe it's more about "bragging rights" and liking the sound they make. Boys will be boys.

You can read about TRD cold air intakes at http://www.trdusa.com/intakes.html[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

....but TRD (Toyota Racing Development) is. TRD brand accessories including TRD cold air intakes are covered under the Toyota vehicle warranty when installed before the vehicle sale.

Got it. They have to be designed by Toyota for the specific application, and installed before the vehicle sale.

So I looked up various years of the Sienna, up to and including 2017. I see a limited number of performance-enhancing items, such as oil filters and lug nuts (!), but no mention of cold air intakes. So it still looks like you're still out of luck with getting a factory certified CAI.

But for fun, I did look at the hp / torque gains illustration for the 4.0L truck engine. Pretty impressive, if true. So, in the bragging rights arena, why don't they all just come equipped with this simplified intake? There's always a catch somewhere.

 

If cold air intakes were a great benefit to the performance and hp wouldn't automakers already include them on the models. This
would seem to be a very cheap thing to do.

Just for fun I went out and looked at the air intake on my 2004 Sienna. It is routed to the front radiator bracket where the extended intake is fastened It is effectively taking in air before the radiator as it is being forced into the grill area. When the vehicle is moving I am getting forced cold air into the air intake at all times.

I am probably missing something but don't understand the benefit adding of a cold air intake. On the Sienna it seems they have already taken care of this.

As for warranty issues I wonder if you couldn't just ask the dealer. If you didn't want to ask the dealer you were going to maybe ask a service writer for Toyota at a different dealership. If this modification interferes with disassembly or service items you should expect there would be add on labor for doing service work if you bought it in.

Here is an interesting article on add on cold air intakes http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/more-power-with-a-cold-air-intake/

 

Main advantage to a CAI is lots of noise when you accelerate.
Some might feel that is a disadvantage.

 

Most vehicles have cold air intakes from the factory. The advantages of an aftermarket cold air intake are mostly aesthetics and (increased) intake sound, IMHO. Even my 1991 Ford Crown Victoria had a factory cold air intake (routed over the radiator and radiator frame) and it was no way impeding performance of that car (the single exhaust was since dual exhaust was an option I didn't have on that car).

If someone claims that they "have more horsepower" with their aftermarket cold air intake, ask to see the print outs of the before and after dynamometer runs. Anyone who is serious about performance will do this when they make a change to their vehicle so they can track what works, and what doesn't.

If they don't have this data, then they have no real evidence to back up their claim. Since the placebo effect is a real thing in human beings, they are sure to believe that they have "more power" even when they really don't. They'll say things like "it's quicker off the line" or "I can feel it" even though the reality is that they're fooling themselves because they spent a lot of money on something they believe will make their car faster.

 

Plenty of proof out there that These actually do produce more power. Would I put one on my wife’s van no but I did on my Camaro. I actually did an airraid MIT (just the tube) on my Silverado as this was proven to produce more gains than a Complete CAI system


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But with no CAI, the car does not sound like a bawling calf when you step on the gas.

 

Many factory cold air intakes actually have two tracts. At low RPM the system uses a smaller tract that may also drop down to a water separator to protect the engine from hydrolock, and a resonator that acts as a 'fluid reserve' (air acts like a fluid...) and sound buffer. This smaller tube actually creates resonance that helps low RPM cylinder filling by keeping velocity up. It also helps warm the air a bit. At higher RPM (say 3500 or so in the case of the Sienna) a VSV opens up the second larger pipe to move a higher volume of air into the air filter box. This pre-air filter / pre-MAF assembly works in conjunction with the engine manifold intake dual runners, tank and cross-over valve that feeds into the 4 valve heads. Two conceptually similar systems pre and post air filter.

Why would a manufacturer spend this much money and complexity on a dual system? To obtain the best driveability across a wide RPM range, optimize fuel economy, cut emissions and keep noise at bay. Toyota calls it T-VIS.

Does taking the factory pre-air filter assembly off and replacing it with a big pipe help anything? I'll buy into the idea on a warm engine at high RPM it could a bit. The downside is poorer performance during warm-up from cold, less efficient operation at lower RPM in general, more noise, etc.

There is a hack for the vacuum lines on the existing system to keep the larger secondary open all the time. I tried it on our old Sienna briefly. My seat-of-the-pants conclusion was it might have help midrange performance some, but the low speed drivability suffered. I went back to stock operation.

 

"Why would a manufacturer spend this much money and complexity on a dual system? To obtain the best driveability across a wide RPM range, optimize fuel economy, cut emissions and keep noise at bay. Toyota calls it T-VIS. "

This comment hits the nail right on the head. Manufactures invest in engineers and technology to make their products perform at peak levels. With the MAF (mass air flow sensors) on todays cars and computer controlled combustion processes these cars are tuned for optimum performance for drivers.

A cold air intake actually produces the noise because of the turbulence of the air trying to get to the combustion process. This turbulence disrupts the MAF from properly measuring the air flow as it passes the sensor throwing off the computer trying to optimize air/fuel mix. One of the components of a modern day engine are methods to reduce air turbulence so that their is laminar or smooth uniform air flow through a cars intake and the computer can then make accurate calculations for the proper air/fuel mixture for the driving conditions. Air movement making a loud noise is sure sign something is wrong.

Think of your homes HVAC system, if it is making loud noises when air is moving there is a good chance you ductwork is not sized right. You are not getting optimum performance. A car is even more complicated with the process of mixing the air and fuel. It is so complicated that computer and sensors are constantly working together to try to optimize it.

 

I disagree with part of your reply. A sports car is trying to get additional performance out of an engine, but i doubt Toyota designed the sienna intake with speed/power in mind. Replacing the intake on a Lamborghini might hurt the performance, but on a sienna it's possible to improve.

Second, the comment about louder air movement being negative isn't completely accurate. Widening the exhaust path allows more noise, but may not negatively impact the performance. It can even create better low end responsiveness in this engine.

It would depend on what the user desires. If he wants to sacrifice a quieter engine and fuel economy for a slightly faster vehicle, that's his choice. Some think this is silly, but many people on this forum also lower their vehicle, change wheels, headlights, exhausts, etc.

The sienna R-tune has intake, exhaust, and suspension modifications, as well as weight reduction (plus many stickers). Obviously Toyota thought intake was beneficial in increasing power at some point.

 

Here is 2016 testing. I have not reviewed this one as my truck is older

http://blackbearperformance.com/IntakeTestResults_2016.asp

Another

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results


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My experience with cars and motorcycles is just the opposite. Any power gains are at high rpm. Low rpm grunt and power are adversely affected.

Widening the exhaust path allows more noise, and may negatively impact the performance. It can even create worse low end responsiveness in this engine is how my experience has panned out.

Sorry. Yes, you're right. It can improve top end power without other modifications

 

Here is an article that actually discusses what goes on with a car engine in normal driving when a cold air intake is installed.
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/more-power-with-a-cold-air-intake/
This is a van forum and most would be talking about normal diving habits.

 

I shall continue to remain skeptical that an aftermarket cold air intake on a 2011+ Sienna is an improvement until someone does a before and after dynamometer test (i.e. a graph of both HP and torque versus RPM, over the RPM range tested). Such a before and after test is the only scientific way to see how any change to a vehicle impacts performance.

For example: https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/how-to-read-a-dyno-graph

 

You want to introduce facts into this?