In-Depth Opinions - Upgrades

I don't think it matters much. Neither TRD nor aftermarket parts will affect your warranty. Just get what you like.

One note would be that the TRD springs and shocks are designed to go together. I don't know if other brands make both or not.

Also, TRD makes a rear sway bar and a front strut brace. Hotchkis, for example, makes both front and rear sway bars (designed to be installed as a pair). The strut brace is a separate item.

TRD CAI is the only intake that is CARB legal in California that is a +++

TRD BBK it has been said that you need 19" wheels to clear Caliper

TRD Axle Back only has a rumble at Cold Start and IMO its to much $$$ for what it is. for around $50 you can get a TRD exhaust tip and it will be oval and look like the TRD axleback

Raceland Coilovers i say are a bang for your buck. if you are not going to dump your car i would say go with raceland cause they will go lower then any lowering spring out there i know cause i went from DF210 to Raceland Coilovers only regret is i got them used i should had just spent $100 for a new set

zinger has already answered the strut and sway bar question

If you go with the TRD cai note that there are two styles. The older one has a vent that replaces the black filler on the lower driver's side of the front bumper. The intake of the cai fits behind it. The newer style doesn't have a vent in the bumper and pulls the air from behind it.

If you look up the cai at TRDSparks for your 2008 they show the photo of the older style. If you look up a newer (2012 for example) there is no photo so I'm guessing that is the newer model. I'm sure both would fit your car though.

zinger said:

If you go with the TRD cai note that there are two styles. The older one has a vent that replaces the black filler on the lower driver's side of the front bumper. The intake of the cai fits behind it. The newer style doesn't have a vent in the bumper and pulls the air from behind it.

If you look up the cai at TRDSparks for your 2008 they show the photo of the older style. If you look up a newer (2012 for example) there is no photo so I'm guessing that is the newer model. I'm sure both would fit your car though.

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To Cmudge26: the vent on the older style CAI only fits 2008-2010 models, because the shape of the bumper insert changed starting in 2011. The vent makes it a real CAI.

BrickPig said:

To Cmudge26: the vent on the older style CAI only fits 2008-2010 models, because the shape of the bumper insert changed starting in 2011. The vent makes it a real CAI.

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Then I should go with the actual TRD CAI that is assigned to my 08' then?

this link shows the current intake design they have
TRD 2008 2012 Scion XB Genuine TRD Performance Cold Air Intake System | eBay

this link shows the TRD CAi that is CARB legal in Cali and it might be discontinued also

Chris-Garage said:

this link shows the current intake design they have

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I really don't want that style the one on eBay it looks like a short ram (I think its discontinued)... I've seen that I was wondering wth lol

So which is the newer CAI?

but on trdsparks has this one which I believe is the one BrickPig is talking about.

TRD Cold Air Intake at Sparks Toyota-Scion, Myrtle Beach, SC

Here is the link to the older style cai from TRD Sparks. It says emissions legal in all 50 states. I like that it actually has a vent in the front bumper to pull in cold air. Of course then you can't install vent lights in the bumper.

Yeah I personally love the CAI that sits behind the battery side and has vent to open up for the CAI...
Personally I'm going to get OEM fog lights instead thats why I'm looking into TRD cai.

At first I wanted to get vent lights and go with K&N Typhoon, but Id rather go TRD parts on most things.

Most TRD parts aren't really made by Toyota anyways. The only + side if you let the dealer install them you used to be able to finance it with your car and also have a longer warranty with it. Much less expensive to go with other reputable aftermarket brands.

Chris-Garage said:

TRD CAI is the only intake that is CARB legal in California that is a +++

TRD BBK it has been said that you need 19" wheels to clear Caliper

TRD Axle Back only has a rumble at Cold Start and IMO its to much $$$ for what it is. for around $50 you can get a TRD exhaust tip and it will be oval and look like the TRD axleback

Raceland Coilovers i say are a bang for your buck. if you are not going to dump your car i would say go with raceland cause they will go lower then any lowering spring out there i know cause i went from DF210 to Raceland Coilovers only regret is i got them used i should had just spent $100 for a new set

zinger has already answered the strut and sway bar question

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So, what exactly will ANY other intake, besides stock, do to alter the output of exhaust?

If the others that manufacture CAI have a carb # and stickers, then they would be legal too? no?

richard cheese said:

So, what exactly will ANY other intake, besides stock, do to alter the output of exhaust?

If the others that manufacture CAI have a carb # and stickers, then they would be legal too? no?

Click to expand...

none of the aftermarket intakes for our cars are 50 state legal other then the TRD CAI. The laws in CALI are very anal when it comes to altered engines. Sometimes smog places wont smog your car upon inspection of the engine if they see a intake.

all other name brand intakes say pending CARB

Chris-Garage said:

none of the aftermarket intakes for our cars are 50 state legal other then the TRD CAI. The laws in CALI are very anal when it comes to altered engines. Sometimes smog places wont smog your car upon inspection of the engine if they see a intake.

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I have an AFE stage 2 intake on my 2500hd diesel, and NO carb stickers were needed the 3 times I smogged it.

Now a tuner, aftermarket turbo, bigger injectors, bigger pistons, etc, WILL not even pass, at least for a diesel. Also, kitty removal is a no no.

So now I wonder, why aren't most scion Xb air intakes 50 state legal? It's not like they change the stock tune, or flow more fuel. they just flow more air than stock.