Shop parts for Your Vehicle

year

make

model

engine

FIND PARTS

Tacoma Intake Shootout Gale Banks does the math.

Why You Need It

The Banks Ram-Air Intake adds an impressive dyno-tested 23.2 peak wheel horsepower while improving throttle response and fuel economy.

Gale Banks has been designing turbocharged engines and cold air intake systems for over 60 years. Long before he pioneered the Diesel performance aftermarket, Gale was famous for setting records on land and sea with forced induction gas engines. The new Tacoma intake system marks a return to his roots.

How it works

Using NASA-developed fluid dynamics, the system increases air density to the turbo inlet while the enclosed housing keeps out power-robbing hot air. The massive filter element outflows stock and all competitors, captures finer debris, and extends service intervals.

For TRD Pro
and TrailHunter

Why It's Better

Adds +23.2 wheel horsepower, dyno proven
Evenly distributed air pressure across entire filter
Largest air filter, extends service intervals
Oiled filter captures maximum dust
Massive organically shaped intake tube
Ram-Air scoop seals to hood
Removable side inlet splash guard
Accommodates factory snorkel
No Check Engine Light

Proven Power - Full-Throttle Lugdown Test

We tested a non-hybrid 2024 Tacoma 2.4L using three 35-second, full-throttle lugdown runs per intake. Starting conditions were matched between tests as the dyno increased load and pulled engine speed down from approximately 6,000 to 4,000 rpm. Banks Ram-Air recorded 279.2 peak wheel horsepower versus 256.0 with the stock intake.

Thanks to a reduction in pressure loss over the stock intake, air mass is increased into the turbo inlet. This denser air makes the turbo's job easier. Turbo lag is reduced and boost comes on sooner, widening the engine's working RPM range.

Gale Banks has been designing turbocharged engines and intake systems for over 60 years. Long before he pioneered Diesel performance, Gale was the expert in forced induction gas engines. The new Tacoma intake system marks a return to his roots.

The Testing Behind the Horsepower

The Banks Ram-Air flows 8.3 lb/min more air than stock at the same 10 in-H₂O pressure drop. At the same 30.4 lb/min airflow, it reduces pressure loss by 8.5 in-H₂O—a 46% reduction. That means your turbo works less hard, generates less heat, and spools up faster resulting in improved throttle response you can feel.

Mass Air Flow Gain for 2024 Tacomas With the banks Ram-Air Intake. 42291

Mass Air Flow

Pressure Loss

Discharge Pressure

Temperature

Mass Air flow: 37.5% more airflow than stock at the same restriction: 30.4 versus 22.1 lb/min at a 10 in-H₂O pressure drop.
Pressure Loss: 46% less pressure loss at the same airflow: 10.0 versus 18.5 in-H₂O at 30.4 lb/min.
Discharge Pressure: 18.6 psi vs. 16.6 psi stock, measured at the compressor discharge at each horsepower peak.
Temperature: Compressor-inlet temperature rise during lugdown test: Banks +0.8°F; stock +1.6°F; SXTH +7.8°F; K&N +30.9°F.

More Room for Air, From Inlet to Outlet

Your turbo’s performance starts with the air you feed it. Banks Ram-Air combines a larger inlet, 866 square inches of filter surface area, and a massive filter outlet—each measuring larger than the K&N and SXTH systems we tested. Together, they reduce restriction along the airflow path, helping your turbo breathe easier and make more power.

Inlet Area

Filter Surface

Outlet Area

Inlet Area: Banks 22.47 in², versus SXTH 14.27 and stock/K&N 10.60.
Filter Surface: Banks 866 in², versus K&N 625 and SXTH 462.
Outlet Area: Banks 17.35 in², versus SXTH 7.07 and K&N 5.73.

Massive Filter Sized Right

The massive Ram-Air filter extends service intervals by collecting more dust within its deep pleats before causing restriction. Greater filtration surface area increases the dirt load the filter can take, which allows the Banks Ram-Air to continue performing long after other smaller filters become filled with contaminants. 2024+ Tacoma intake filter size comparison

2024+ Tacoma intake filter size comparison

Banks Ram-Air Filter and its massive size

Air filter housing volume has been optimized to ensure the incoming ram-air is evenly distributed around the filter and prevent housing choke from limiting airflow into the filter. This maximizes compressor efficiency while fully utilizing the entire filter medium for dust collection.

Massive Intake Tube Optimizes Flow

The Banks intake tube features a NASA-inspired low pressure loss duct bend. It also maintains the full 17.35 square-inch cross-sectional area of the filter outlet. Competitive intake systems have small filter outlets, choking airflow back to stock or worse.

The intake tube's smooth change in both shape and direction avoids the harsh 90° bends found in other designs. This helps maintain intake air velocity by preventing boundary layer separation and drag which effectively reduces the flow diameter of the tube and causes pressure loss.

The Ram-Air Effect

Taking advantage of the fast-moving air hitting the nose of the truck, the Banks Ram-Air effectively supercharges your turbo.

As air density inside the Ram-Air intake increases with vehicle velocity, it reduces turbo's workload. In other words, the turbo will make the same boost at a lower shaft speed. This results in improved throttle response and longer turbo life.