fix for tight fitting true flow airfilters---round off the top corners
09-09-2006, 07:57 PM
#1
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fix for tight fitting true flow airfilters---round off the top corners
if youve read anything about these filters, one of the biggest complaints is that it is nearly impossible to close the top of a 3.4L air filter box with these true flow air filters.
i had some time to do some maintenance this weekend and figured out what it could be:
a) entire filter is too tall
b) corners are square
given that it would be more difficult to reduce the total height of the filter, i chose to round off the corners. as you can see from the pictures (curved.jpg and whole.jpg), the inner part of the top lid is curved. because the corners of the true flow are square (uncut.jpg), the corners make contact with the inner lid too early, thereby not allowing the lid to easily close.
i took a dremel drum disc (dremel.jpg) and rounded off the corners. i didnt round off enough, but after 1 try, i knew this would work. so i rounded off some more and at least on one side, it was closing effortlessly. so of course, i did both sides.
hopefully true flow will fix this and offer replacement filters and/or permanently fix the problem for future owners.
bob
i had some time to do some maintenance this weekend and figured out what it could be:
a) entire filter is too tall
b) corners are square
given that it would be more difficult to reduce the total height of the filter, i chose to round off the corners. as you can see from the pictures (curved.jpg and whole.jpg), the inner part of the top lid is curved. because the corners of the true flow are square (uncut.jpg), the corners make contact with the inner lid too early, thereby not allowing the lid to easily close.
i took a dremel drum disc (dremel.jpg) and rounded off the corners. i didnt round off enough, but after 1 try, i knew this would work. so i rounded off some more and at least on one side, it was closing effortlessly. so of course, i did both sides.
hopefully true flow will fix this and offer replacement filters and/or permanently fix the problem for future owners.
bob
09-10-2006, 09:34 PM
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Has anyone contacted them?? How many people actually have this problem? Mine and my Sister's fit just fine....Let me know, I happen to know the owner of TrueFlow.
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09-10-2006, 11:41 PM
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I think there's quite a few out there who have done this. I believe I saw something similar on TTORA and CustomTacos too.
09-10-2006, 11:45 PM
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This is a real nice solution Bob, as long as you make sure not to cut too much.
I love the way mine fits, it's really tight but since the surround isn't rubber, that's a very good thing.
They should make the casing smaller and then add some rubber around it.
I love the way mine fits, it's really tight but since the surround isn't rubber, that's a very good thing.
They should make the casing smaller and then add some rubber around it.
09-11-2006, 11:59 AM
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TrueFlow makes all of the filters In-House in AZ. I'll be touring the factory at the PWA show, and will mention something then. I also have the national sales manager in town this wed/thursday, so we'll see if this issue can't be resolved! 
Brett
Brett
09-14-2006, 01:01 PM
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Why Not Just Get Cold Air Flow?
Sounds Like A Lot Of Time For Not Much Improvement On Performance. I Got A K&n Cold Air Flow Kit And Installed It About 30 Minutes. I Got Ten More Horses And A Mean Sound.
09-14-2006, 01:12 PM
#13
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shaving the corners is a lot of work? 
and thats pretty bold statement there...got a dyno test to prove it, kronin? foam filters have been proven to gain around 6-7 hp. further more, how much did you pay for yours vs a $50 foam filter? bang for the buck-wise, i win.
and thats pretty bold statement there...got a dyno test to prove it, kronin? foam filters have been proven to gain around 6-7 hp. further more, how much did you pay for yours vs a $50 foam filter? bang for the buck-wise, i win.
Last edited by Bob_98SR5; 09-14-2006 at 01:30 PM.
09-14-2006, 01:20 PM
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10 hp from a "cold air" kit? seat of the pants maybe, but going by seat of the pants, I picked up a boatload of HP with my deckplate...without a dyno to prove it, its just crap. Sorry.
09-14-2006, 01:32 PM
#15
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Now, for the K&N let me tell you that they are pretty much NOT liked around here because they let a lot more dirt into your engine, tend to foul your MAF with filter oil, and cost a LOT for meager gains in horsepower. Most people around here prefer the Airaid MIT tube paired with the deckplate mod and a True Flow drop in filter. This set up gives you slight performance and intake noise increase (equal to or better than the K&N, without the oil fouling or dirt pass-thru), is cheaper, and safer in most conditions.
Here's a little reading for ya, it's made by Gadget, one of the biggest Toyota gurus around here:
Originally Posted by Gadget
This is the test that is sure to get some folks upset. Performance products is selling the K&N FIPK for $219. The K&N FIPK beats the stock box by .6 HP in 1st, 2.8 in 2nd, but looses to the stock box by 3.2 in 3rd for an average loss of .06 HP.
Now if you just cut open the front of the box you get 6.4 HP over the stock box for free or 9.6 over the K&N FIPK. Remember from the previous chart you will get basically the same results by removing the elbow as cutting open the box. I think this might be the way to go so you can pop it back in if you decide to go swimming.
It looks like TRD is right about this one, or close anyway. They told me that they have seen a slight reduction in power, to no improvement with the installation of the K&N FIPK. Of course it does look cool, well once your hood is open anyway.
09-14-2006, 06:01 PM
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