CUTTING HOLES IN AIR BOX

[86taco]

TEXT Yesterday I cut about a 2 1/2'' hole in the front of my air box just behind the headlight. that made a huge difference. It has a hole lot more power now. It does not look like it can suck anything into it I still have to make a filter for it.

[NCSU]

Did you cut the hole above where the air filter sits or below? I have a K&N drop in and I don't want to have to get another filter, but I wouldn't mind a little more get-up in the 4 cylinder. What are your plans for the filter you are going to make?

[86taco]

I cut the hole below where the filter sits. on the bettom of the air cleaner box the hole runs from the top of that to the bottom and is about 3"long it make a big difference. I used a 1/2" drill bit and drilled some holes and cut in between the holes with a pair of tin snips. I didnt feel like going to work and using the hand held plasma cutter. I'm a welder/fabricator so have acess to all the goodies.

[NCSU]

what are you plans for a filter over the hole or are you just going to leave the hole uncovered? I've heard about doing this, but I don't want to bypass the airfilter w/o atleast having something to catch the other debris.

[Sean]

I cut away a good sized portion of the box below the filter. Seemed to help a bit.

[86taco]

I cut a piece of furnace filter(ordinary home furnace filter) and put some silicone arond the edges and put it over the hole. it was quick and simple. with the hole being behind the headlight mud and snow should not be able to get up there. when it gets dirty just make a new one.My first thoughts were to use a piece of thin foam but that is to restrictive. rock on

[toy94x4]

Doesn't sounds all that bad of an idea. Good inganuity and self fabrication. Rock On!

[NCSU]

Agreed, I think that I am going to give this a shot, I could use the extra boost. Good thinking...

[snoman]

here is another Idea for everyone

get yourself and airbox from an 87+22re, with the sheild/scoop behind the drivers side head light. take that same box and cut a second hole in the airbox, where the hose from the rad support goes on pre 86.

With this mod you have more airflow and a very factory look.

[86taco]

this si the best horsepower mod that costs nothing. it really woke up the fourcylinder. I can actually gain speed going up steephills. and when rolling down the highway when I hammer it I get a immediate response. the truck is an 86 x-tra cab witha 22re 5sp 3in lift and 31-11.50 cheap all terrains.

[toyota884runner]

I have an 1988 4runner 22-RE 5sp can you all give more details about how to do this. So i can do this to my air box. Because i have 31.10.50's and going up hills it boggs down 5-15 mph and i need more power. thanks please reply steve

[86taco]

I think that the 88's are different than my 86' without seeing it . right behind the driverside head light is the air box on my truck. I cut a 3" diameter hole in the air box below where the filter sits. Then I made the filter .if you do a lot of street driving and not a lot off offroading you probably dont need the prefilter.Its rather simple I will try to get some pics next week real busy.

[Mike Kelly]

Steve,
I did this mod to my '88 Toy Pickup - same motor - 22RE. The airbox is behind the drivers side headlight. I removed the box with only a few screws and drilled out 1 1/4" holes (the biggest bit I had at the time) all through out the front of the box, and a couple on the side.

I had a K&N filter, and did not do a whole lot of mud/water driving, but please be warned that if you do, this could be dangerous.

I didn't notice a huge gain, but the engine did seem to respond a little faster, and it definately changed the sound of the truck. A little deaper.

Good luck!

[Radguy]

Well I just got doin this Mod. Sounds a little deeper

I'll let you know if there's a power difference ;D

[Jbra92]

I have a 92 Toy 4x4 Deluxe with 33x12.5 Cooper tires. Needless to say with a 22-RE engine I dont have a lot of Top end response. Will allowing more air to come into the engine make that big of a difference or is it just another repair waiting to happen. I just recently posted a question about how to give the engine more power generally speaking. Headers? Shave the Head? Exhaust? I wa seven considering a ram aitr intake in the hood. Im not sure I will be doing alot of work to it this winter and hopefully have it ready to go by Feb or March. Ideas?

[NCSU]

Hey, I've got a '94 Pickup w/ 22-RE with a 2" body lift and 33x12.50 BFG A/T's and I did this mod last weekend. So far, I have had no problems with it. I cut a 3" circle on the left side if you are facing the rear of the truck and put a "vent filter" on the outside of the box. The vent filters were $2.50 at Home Depot and will keep most of the large debris and alot of the smaller stuff out, the rest should be picked up by your air filter. I can definitely tell that the little ol' 22RE has some more power. I have not gone offroad yet, so I don't know the consequences of this mod as far as that is concerned, but I may just make a little insert to plug the hole up for future excursions. I am putting a Flowmaster single on tomorrow with 2.5" piping from the cat back, so I'll let everyone know how that turns out when I get back. I will try to get a picture on here of the airbox when I get a chance...

[Radguy]

Jbra92 said:

I have a 92 Toy 4x4 Deluxe with 33x12.5 Cooper tires. Needless to say with a 22-RE engine I dont have a lot of Top end response. Will allowing more air to come into the engine make that big of a difference or is it just another repair waiting to happen

You'll see a difference with this mod. No repair needed, unless you want to add a snorkel

[DeadlyPeace]

Just make sure to keep out of too much water or you can suck it into the carb.

[86taco]

Ram air in the hoos would be good only if you dont do a lot of muddin' it adds a little bit of top end. I tried to put my hole in a place where no water could get in. the prefilter is just to try and keep the bugs and stuff out of the box.