Swapping out the factory intake is a pretty common mod. I would think it’s one of the most popular due to relatively lower costs, simple install, and performance gains.
Cold air intakes are designed to draw cooler (denser) air into your motor. They usually use smoother tubing, bigger air boxes, larger openings, and high flow filters. The result is typically louder intake noise (more audible air flow), louder blow off valve noise, increased turbo noise, and a bump in horsepower and torque.
Now, people debate how effective they actually are for more power, but I think we can agree that the benefit is there, but you’d have to run your own independent testing to confirm various claims.
The CPLT intake applies to every truck, whether it’s a daily driver or a more dedicated off-road rig.
Table Of Contents
YouTube Install & Review (Sound Clips)
If videos are your thing, check out the one I put together above.
Most importantly, I do some dedicated audio/video clips of the intake inside the cabin and in the engine bay.
Product Overview
SXTH Element is a growing brand from the East coast. They make aftermarket upgrade for vehicle with forced induction (mainly turbos). That’s not to say they only focus on performance mods. They also make things like front and rear recovery points and the Trail Pipe (high clearance exhaust dump).
For the 4th Gen Tacoma, they offer a pretty robust product line. It also includes their new intercooler and a few other things.
But back to the CPLT intake…
Features & Specs
- fits 2024+ Tacoma (gas and hybrid)
- only the Trailhunter and TRD Pro require tuning
- CARB compliance will be finalized in 2026
- improves stock design for more power and torque
- ~14 hp and torque gained at the wheels (SXTH dyno tested)
- 12-17% airflow increase compared to OEM
- replaceable high flow filter
- optional filter cover for dusty environments
- QuickSnap magnetic plastic lid with etched logo
- smoother tubing
- direct, simple bolt on design
- filter box also opens into fender for more air flow
- more aggressive intake/turbo/blow off valve sound
Install Overview
The installation process is pretty easy. I briefly go over it in the video I linked above, and SXTH has a video install guide on their YouTube channel as well.
My only note here is to be patient when lining up all the tubing. It’s a tight fit, so you have to shimmy everything around to get it to line up.
Performance & Driving Impressions
Naturally, people want to know how the truck drives and sounds after the new intake.
In terms of how the truck drives, it does feel like it has a little more kick, but that could just be the butt dyno talking. I have a hybrid Tacoma, and it’s already pretty quick (for a truck). I also have a ton of weight with all my armor, 37″ tires, and GFC camper. So relatively small increases in power are not as easy to feel. But if you are able to feel anything, I would say it’s more so in the mid-range of throttle and RPMs.
Now, maybe most importantly, the sound. This is the biggest difference that you can expect. From the factory, you don’t really hear any intake noise. You occasionally can hear the turbo/blow off valve, but you really have to listen for it. After the new intake, the truck is definitely louder. You can hear the air rushing into the system more, much more audible turbo spooling, and the amplified blow off valve sounds. Personally, I really like how the turbo sounds as it spools up. And the release of pressure through the blow off valve is pretty rad. It definitely makes you want to drive the truck a harder, just so you can hear the engine working.
At idle, you can’t really hear any difference. You mainly see the increase in sound under acceleration into higher RPMs. On the highway, you can’t even tell it’s there. I haven’t seen any impact on gas mileage, but again, I don’t have a stock truck. Obviously, if you go around punching the gas to hear the noise more often, your MPGs will only get worse.
Considerations When Off-Roading
Some of us are more likely than others to take our trucks off-road. But I know a lot of people do, or will at some points. All cold air intakes increase airflow. They do this with less restrictive filters. This is good for power, etc., but the less restrictive filters do allow more debris past them.
If you’re going to wheel your truck, especially in dusty environments (pretty much unavoidable), then you should be aware that the higher airflow could potentially negatively impact your truck. If you’re in these conditions, be sure to check your filter more regularly and don’t go out of your way to hit very dusty areas. SXTH also has the trailSHIELD, which is a dust cover that acts as a pre-filter. If you’re going to off-road, I recommend you get one of these as well.
Otherwise, everything else performs as expected.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- better throttle response
- aggressive sound
- high quality materials and fitment
- OEM-like install
- replaceable filter and dust cover
CONS
- louder noise might not be for everyone
- more maintenance
- potential for heat soak at lower speeds
Who Is This Intake For?
The main appeal behind getting a better intake is to boost performance (even if gain isn’t huge) and increase the noise, for an overall better driving experience. So if that appeals to you, it’s a good mod to consider.
If you’re after power, I would think about an intake as one part of a complete system. Consider upgrading your exhaust, intercooler, charge pipe, etc. And to top it all off, an engine tune. Now we’re talking. But just don’t expect a crazy bump in power from the intake alone.
At the end of the day, any truck/build can benefit from a new intake.
Long Term Ownership & Maintenance
I would check your filter every oil change, which (should) be every 5,000 miles. Unless you spend a lot of time in dusty environments. In that case I would check after every trip.
With typical use, a SXTH filter should last you around the same as the OEM one. Make sure you periodically check all the fitting and connections. If you take care of your truck, there’s no reason why this intake shouldn’t last as long as the truck does.
Final Thoughts
The SXTH Element CPLT Intake is priced competitively with other options on the market. If you’re looking for an upgrade, I recommend considering these guys. Not just for the quality of product, but to support a small American business!
I’ve had mine on for about 5,000 mixed highway and city miles so far (from scorching heat to below freezing), and everything has been great. I didn’t go too crazy ripping it around after I first installed it, but recently I’ve found myself giving the truck a little extra gas so I can hear the turbo and blow off valve. It really does make the driving experience more enjoyable.
Is it worth it? For the right user, I think so! Let me know if you have any questions!
