Has anyone installed the aFe Power exhaust and cold air intake? (1 Viewer)

[ben7]

Hi,

I’m thinking of installing the aFe Power vulcan series catback exhaust and aFe Power momentum GT cold air intake on my 2017 Lexus GX 460 Premium.

Here are the links:

- Vulcan Series 2-1/2 IN 304 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System w/ Black Tip - https://afepower.com/afe-power-49-36048-b-vulcan-series-2-1-2-in-304-stainless-steel-cat-back-exhaust-system-w-black-tip

- Momentum GT Cold Air Intake System w/Pro 5R Filter Media - https://afepower.com/afe-power-50-70022r-momentum-gt-pro-5r-cold-air-intake-system#overview

Do they improve performance? Does it sound good?

Do they bring down reliability? I’ve read somewhere that the stock intake is way better than any aftermarket intake.

Looking forward to any thoughts or reviews on these items.

Thanks!

 

[Roody]

Following.

 

[Banandalorian]

Do they bring down reliability? I’ve read somewhere that the stock intake is way better than any aftermarket intake.

There's a general rule of thumb that the OEM intake on any modern vehicle is going to be better than a cheapo "cold air intake" that's just a metal pipe, but a well engineered aftermarket intake can find performance gains beyond just noise. This is especially true if you couple the intake with a tune to take advantage of increased airflow.

More specifically to the GX, my concern would be that the factory intake/airbox restrictions are part of a design to help prevent water/mud/etc from getting in. So the AFe intake does allow a significant increase in airflow, and probably sounds rad, but may introduce a new risk if you actually off road. Their product descriptions note their oiled filter is "perfect for street use" and their dry filter is "best suited for street and light off road use."

 

[jonshonda]

Man that's a spendy intake. Looks nice, but it freaking better add some cool noises for that coin. haha

 

[r2m]

I’ve read somewhere that the stock intake is way better than any aftermarket intake.

Only thing better is when you add a snorkel!!

 

[Rednexus]

I have an aFe on my 470. It's a very well engineered intake and sounds great. It pulls air from the same location as the OEM intake. It provided a nominal increase in power. The air filter is much larger than stock, reusable, and also allows a pre-filter sock to be used. I take my GX in wet, muddy, and dusty conditions all the time and have had zero issues with it pulling in debris. I wash the filter every 5k and it's usually pretty clean due to the filter sock.

Overall, it's a good mod for the sound and better filter, but don't expect big power gains.

Regarding the exhaust, I would not install one if you are drone and/ or noise sensitive. The vast majority of aftermarket exhausts on these will have a drone right around 2k rpm and can make highway driving unpleasant. You can address the drone by adding resonators, but then you are hacking up a new exhaust.

 

[ben7]

There's a general rule of thumb that the OEM intake on any modern vehicle is going to be better than a cheapo "cold air intake" that's just a metal pipe, but a well engineered aftermarket intake can find performance gains beyond just noise. This is especially true if you couple the intake with a tune to take advantage of increased airflow.

More specifically to the GX, my concern would be that the factory intake/airbox restrictions are part of a design to help prevent water/mud/etc from getting in. So the AFe intake does allow a significant increase in airflow, and probably sounds rad, but may introduce a new risk if you actually off road. Their product descriptions note their oiled filter is "perfect for street use" and their dry filter is "best suited for street and light off road use."

Yeah that’s why I’m leaning towards keeping the stock airbox. I actually didn’t notice the street use description which further confirms my decision to stick with the stock airbox.

 

[ben7]

Only thing better is when you add a snorkel!!

I was thinking about adding a snorkel lol which does look really cool, however it would be more for show as I don’t intend on crossing rivers or hard core off roading lol

Great looking truck btw.

 

[ben7]

Thanks everyone for the replies! After much consideration, I think I will keep the stock airbox but install the catback exhaust along with my GX 460 build.

 

[MrTorgue]

Thanks everyone for the replies! After much consideration, I think I will keep the stock airbox but install the catback exhaust along with my GX 460 build.

Just know you're going to get drone, possibly unbearable amounts. Most cat back systems aren't resonated or resonated properly. You may tolerate it at first because it'll sound good but after a while if you drive it a lot it'll get on your nerves. Ask me how I know. Just swapping the muffler on my 460 and leaving the factory resonator on and it still had bad drone. I had enough and swapped my factory muffler back on.

 

[r2m]

I was thinking about adding a snorkel lol which does look really cool, however it would be more for show as I don’t intend on crossing rivers or hard core off roading lol

Great looking truck btw.

Ha-ha-ha! That's what I get from most people, "How deep can you go?" or "How often do you do water crossings?"
Hardly do any water crossings. Remember, I live in So. Cal. And except for this last season, we've been in a drought and most everything's dried up. Also being an engineer, I can't just put something on it because it's pretty, cool or chrome. Not like certain motorcycle groups (ahem... Harley Davidson's ring a bell?)
So, why do I have a snorkel?

1. Cooler air flow. When in triple digit temperatures on the highway, instead of pulling hotter air close to the ground from the right front fender, your pulling cooler air from the top of your rig that has already been displaced and cooled by passing over the front of the vehicle.
2. There is a "ram air" effect with a snorkel and as anyone knows the more you can push air down the throttle body, the better, even if it's a wee bit.
3. When on the trail with my off road club, and if I'm not leading, I at least get cleaner air while following other rigs.
4. Yes, it does give me a couple more inches of fording depth, but I'm still not pushing the hood below the water surface.
5. AND finally, the cool factor......... But I had to justify it in order to add it.

 

[Rednexus]

Agree 100% on the drone. I've gone to great lengths on my 470 to get rid of it. On a stock motor without headers its really not worth the marginal power gains (i have headers and the gains were substantial). If you are just looking for better sound, a CAI is a better option as they don't drone at cruising speeds, and provide a better filter.

 

[giovanni]

I ran the AFE intake on my 2016 GX460 for about 6 months and then went back to the stock air intake system. Horrible drone at certain throttle/load conditions for no discernible change in performance.

 

[Arailt]

Leave it stock. All they do is go woosh.