GTurbo N80 Hilux Airboxes: An Investment in Your Toyota’s Performance

Whether it’s taking a road trip through the outback, handling tradie chores or plain old everyday commuting, Toyota’s Hilux is the one ute that every Aussie can respect. The 8th generation N80s, however, have carved out a special place in the hearts of off-road aficionados like none of the predecessors have.

N80s feature the perfect blend of toughness and technology, but with one worrying deficiency: poorly manufactured airboxes. Fortunately though, there’s a Western Australian company that already manufactures a solution for the N80’s airbox dilemma, and Hilux owners can be proud that they’re as committed to N80s living up to the Hilux’s mythical reputation as Toyota is.

Aftermarket N80 Airboxes That Match the Hilux’s Unbreakable Credentials

Let’s be honest: it’s almost unimaginable that the most glaring weakness in the unbreakable Hilux’s armour would be the factory airbox, but that’s precisely what it is. They’re highly prone to deforming under elevated temperatures and heavy engine loads. That’s why a GTurbo high performance N80 hilux airbox needs to be on every 8th Gen owner’s upgrade list.

With Toyota’s emphasis on virtual indestructible powertrains and suspensions, the reliability of the N80’s airbox would seem unthinkable. The fact, however, is that the unit’s unreinforced polypropylene’s design is woefully disposed to warping, leaving room for a host of dust-related difficulties to occur, including:

• A dramatic increase in the likelihood of turbo blade damage and loss of compressor wheel balance;
• An increased risk of dust entering the engine, with the possibility of damage to piston rings, and valve seats and seals;
• Unpredictable MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor readings, resulting in the engine’s air-fuel mixture becoming either too rich or too lean;
• Errors in ECU timing readings, resulting in erratic automatic transmission shifting points; and,
• The possibility of the vehicle going into limp mode, triggering check engine and traction control lights while also forcing the engine to reduce power and limit RPMs.

It’s important to remember that although the above problems are mostly indicative of the long term consequences of driving with a warped or damaged airbox, persistent dust and water intake also comes with its share of short term headaches. The cost of more frequent air filter and airbox gasket replacements, as well as a noticeable increase in fuel consumption are all consequences of continuing to drive with an ill-fitting airbox. This is where GTurbo’s custom-engineered aluminium N80 airboxes really get to show off their unbreakable credentials.

Attributes That Give GTurbo Airboxes Their Severe Duty Advantages

From their lightweight corrosion-resistant housings, to their drop-in replaceability, premium engineering is what gives GTurbo’s Hilux N80 airbox its advantages. GTurbo didn’t reinvent the OE N80 airbox: it only addressed the weaknesses in an otherwise solid design. The result of their engineering is an airbox that’s not only free from problematic warping, but also ready for the kinds of upgraded turbocharger/intercooler enhancements that Hilux owners enjoy make. 

GTurbo leaves nothing to chance with their craftsman-quality N80 airboxes, and they lead the way with a bevy of severe duty attributes that include:

• Off-road ready construction. Every GTurbo airbox starts with 3mm marine-grade 5052 aluminium alloy. At only 6.5kg these rigid airboxes are guaranteed not to warp, and are anodised for maximum protection against rust while still providing exceptional heat dissipation for the N80’s high efficiency 2.8l turbo-diesel.
• Unmatched craftsmanship. GTurbo airboxes are more than just alloy copies of the N80’s factory airbox. Each unit is crafted from CNC-cut and folded panels that have been TIG-welded for maximum reliability, and features adjustable mounting legs that allow for a perfectly crafted fit for any type of engine or intake setup.
• Double-sealed dust protection. GTurbo’s unique double-seal lid is the key to their airbox’s effectiveness. The seal goes the full distance around the airbox, offering complete protection against dust, debris and water entering the intake while also creating a pressurised environment for maximum air velocity.

GTurbo N80 airboxes are also designed to fit perfectly on the Hilux’s SUV equivalent, the 2nd generation Fortuner. They share the same powertrain and underbonnet layouts, and can be ordered with either the standard 3.0” or upgraded 3.5” outlet. And as there are no compatibility issues between N80 Hilux and Fortuner airboxes, it’s the perfect opportunity for these twin Toyota’s to also take advantage of GTurbo’s high performance air filters.

High Efficiency Hilux Air Filtration For Maximum Performance

Make no mistake: while the N80’s OE paper element filter may be sufficient for ordinary driving, it’s simply not designed for the kinds of worse-than-ordinary driving conditions that Hilux owners can find themselves in. GTurbo’s collaboration with Freudenberg Filtration Technologies takes the N80’s air quality predicament head-on, and the result is a one-of-a-kind high performance filter that’s built specifically for Australia’s harsh conditions.

GTurbo’s Freudenberg high efficiency air filters use electrostatic charged synthetic fibre technology to capture even the finest dust particles, and are built around a core of high performance features that include:

• A multi-layered, dry-style filtration design that doesn’t require messy oiling or lubrication;
• An extremely high flow rate, optimised to suite output demands up to 300kW without restricting airflow; and,
• Polyurethane rubber seals that are guaranteed not to deform under heavy loads.

The rigid frames of GTurbo filters are the ideal supplement to the no-warp characteristics of their airboxes. If the filter becomes clogged or saturated, the frame is engineered specifically not to collapse or get drawn into the intake. It’s the perfect complement to the N80’s unbreakable credentials.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, with a reputation for possibly being the toughest 4×4 ever manufactured, no ute has been more at-home in the outback than the Hilux. Its current version, the N80, is arguably the most all round capable Hilux ever manufactured. And with everything it has in its favour, a warped airbox doesn’t have to be its Achilles heel.

A high performance N80 Hilux airbox from GTurbo is the key to letting these Toyota’s perform up to their potential. It’s the perfect upgrade for the most respected ute in Australia.