I just started looking into these K&N products and the immediate differences I can see are that the 77 comes in the chrome-type finish and otherwise only $2 difference from the 57. This would be the first mod I have done to my '99 PreRunner with the 3.4L V6 engine (88,000 mi) so I know I won't be conflicting with anything else. My source so far has been performanceproducts.com based on reading other posts to this group. They don't list the HP gain specifically other than being dyno-proven gains. The other thing I need to consider is ease of installation so I'd appreciate input on that with regard to either product or this mod in general.
Toyotas tends to have a good factory intake system. But you can test this yourself.
Take out the stock air cleaner and drive around the block. (assuming it's not a dirt block). You may notice more noise, but see if you can feel any more power. If you don't feel anything, then a K&N is not going to help. If you do, then you need to figure out if it's worth the price. Now if you had a opened up throttle body with better headers and exhaust, then a K&N may help more.
This is always hot topic, but I am going to give you my 2 bits on the subject.
K&N filters flow more air, but also lets more dirt in. In a racing application, they are great as you need all the power you can get, and you rebuilt the motor every few races anyway.
Not over the 200k+ miles you will put on that Toyota, it adds up quickly.
Now a lot of people say they filter better, but when I held mine up to the sun, I could see tiny holes. How this filters better then an half inch of foam in my foam filter is beyond me. Also, you don't run a K&N in wet water as it tends to let water pass. It takes a lot more water to get past a foam filter. I always run foam filters on my toys and I seems to get longer engine life then the friends that run K&N. (Foam and K&N both oiled)
In my Toyota, I run a stock filter, but I oil it. I know people say not too, but I have not had any problems and my intake is very clean. (I check every oil change.) When the filter is dirty, I toss it and oil up another one. They last about 5k miles for me since I live down a dirt road.
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