Recently, AEM stepped up to the plate and added yet another serial number to its huge inventory of air intake systems for cars and trucks. The company brought added power to a whole new breed of truck when it opened its R&D department to the newer Tacoma V-6s. As soon as we heard about the availability of the new system, we got our hands on one and snapped photos for your viewing pleasure. According to AEM, its new Brute Force Intake System for the V-6 Tacoma is capable of making the truck put out additional power because of its design (specifically tuned intakes in length and diameter make a huge difference in an intake's ability to increase performance) and its ability to pull cooler air than that of the ambient temperature of the engine bay. Follow along as we install what is probably the simplest way to make power with a Tacoma V-6. For more information, contact AEM using the information listed in the source box.
4. Carefully lift the airbox...
4. Carefully lift the airbox out of the truck.
5. There's more tubing that...
5. There's more tubing that needs to be removed as well, and it runs all the way to the intake plenum.
6. With the stock intake and...
6. With the stock intake and intake tubing out of the way, we began working on the airbox.
7. The electronics in the...
7. The electronics in the 'box must be transplanted into the new Brute Force Air Intake System to allow the truck's computer to correctly read airflow and adjust its workings to the speed of the airflow.
8. Once the module is free...
8. Once the module is free of the airbox, reinstall it on the new section of intake tube using the supplied hardware.
9. Also supplied with the...
9. Also supplied with the new system is a heatshield specially designed to block out the warmer air of the engine compartment and pull in cooler air from outside the vehicle. To begin installing the 'shield, the rubber molding supplied must be installed around the upper and outer perimeter of the 'shield to help block warm air from entering the chamber. The molding uses the hood in its closed position to seal.
10. & 11. Using points already...
10. & 11. Using points already in the truck, the heatshield was installed. Because the install is a no-drill procedure, a bit of shaping was all that was necessary to make the fit look perfect.
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12. The first section of tubing...
12. The first section of tubing was then secured at the throttle body using the hardware and hose clamps provided.
13. Using the elbow and hose...
13. Using the elbow and hose provided, you must make all of the connections needed. The elbow serves to connect two different sizes of tubing. One end is press-fit while the other will require an included hose clamp.
14. Yet another section of...
14. Yet another section of tubing comes off the leading edge of the intake tube. Route this hose carefully. You may choose to secure it with cable ties to keep it from moving too near the fan assembly.
15. With the new intake tubing...
15. With the new intake tubing completely installed, place the new AEM filter over the end of the intake tube and secure it using the large hose clamp included with the kit.
16. Completed, the truck will...
16. Completed, the truck will make better use of available power and does it legally because the Brute Force Intake system is a smog-legal performance part.