The 5 Best Cold Air Intake for RAM(1500, 2500 & 3500)
If you’re looking to get the most out of your Dodge RAM truck, a cold air intake is a great way to do it. Cold air intakes, or CAI for short, provide uninterrupted airflow to your engine, increasing horsepower, improving acceleration, and better fuel mileage. Plus, they usually come with better filters than your stock system and can make your truck sound better.
But with so many different cold air intakes on the market, it can be tough to know which one is the best for your truck. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the five best cold air intakes for Dodge RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks to help you make the best choice for your needs. In the end, we have also included a buying guide to help you select the best CAI for your needs.
So let’s get started, shall we?
Here are the five best cold air intakes for Dodge RAM trucks
1. K&N 71-1561 Black Hawk performance cold air intake for RAM 1500, 2500, 3500
Highlights
- Compatible with 5.7 HEMI 2009-19 Dodge/RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 trucks
- K&N comes with 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty.
- Aluminum body & a washable Dry Flow Synthetic filter
- Dyno tested to ensure an increase in horsepower.
- Improves throttle response when towing
- Gives the engine a more muscular, throaty sound.
- Easy to install and requires less than an hour
- Not legal in CA and fellow states.
K&N’s Black Hawk cold air intake kit is the perfect way to increase horsepower and acceleration in your Dodge RAM 1500, 2500, or 3500. This kit comes with a Dry Flow synthetic filter that is washable and reusable, meaning less maintenance for you. The cold air intake kit also improves throttle response and uphill performance when towing. And for those who want a more muscular sound from their engine, the K&N Black Hawk cold air intake fulfills that demand. With excellent filtering ability and easy installation, the K&N Black Hawk is the perfect way to get the most out of your Dodge RAM.
Pros
- Increases HP, improves acceleration
- Better throttle response
- More muscular sound
- Provides engine with excellent protection from contamination
Cons
- Slightly overpriced
- Not legal in CA and some other states
2. Spectre Performance SPE-9090 Air intake kit
Highlights
- Compatible with 2019 RAM 1500 trucks
- Dyno-tested with up to 50% more airflow than stock filters
- Improves horsepower and acceleration
- Makes engine growl
- Better contamination protection for the engine
- Easy to install with basic tools
If you’re looking for an easy way to give your Dodge RAM a boost in performance, then you should check out Spectre Performance’s SPE-9090 air intake kit. This Intake Kit is compatible with 2019 RAM 1500 trucks and has been Dyno-tested with up to 50% more airflow than the restrictive factory box air filter and intake tube. Not only will this Intake Kit improve your horsepower and acceleration, but it also makes the engine growl for that added bit of excitement. Plus, the improved filters offer better contamination protection for your engine. Installation is a breeze with basic tools, so you’ll be up and running in no time! And best of all, this intake kit does not void your vehicle’s warranty (actually, none of the CAI in this list does).
Pros
- improved horsepower and acceleration
- Makes engine growl
- Easy installation with basic tools
- Does not void warranty
Cons
- None found
3. K&N 57-1533 50-State Legal cold air intake
Highlights
- Fits 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks
- It is legal in all 50 US states
- 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty.
- Improves throttle response
- It makes the engine sound more muscular
- Excellent protection to the engine from contaminants.
- Made of durable yet lightweight High-Density Polyethylene
- Reusable oiled 4-Layer Cotton filter media
- No tunning needed
K&N 57-1533 will boost your Dodge RAM 1500, 2500, or 3500 truck performance. This 50-state legal kit fits 2003-2008 models and has been dyno-tested to provide up to 50% more airflow than the stock system. In addition to improved horsepower and throttle response, the K&N 57-1533 also makes the engine sound more muscular. It’s easy to install and doesn’t require any tuning, making it an excellent choice for DIYers. Plus, the kit comes with a 10-year/million-mile limited warranty so you can sit back and relax.
Pros
- Improved horsepower and acceleration
- Maximizes Mileage and provides extensive contamination protection to engine
- Better, impressive engine growl and throttle response
Cons
- Slightly expensive.
4. Flowmaster 615111 Performance Air Intake for 09-18 RAM 1500, 2500
Highlights
- Made from stainless steel material
- Produces up to 9HP of gain
- Compatible with 2009-18 RAM 1500 & 2500 truck
- Superior High-Flow 8 Panel Cotton Gauze filter media
- Improves engine sound and makes it louder
- Affordable and value-for-money product
- Easy bolt-on install
- No special tuning needed
- It comes with a lifetime Flowmaster warranty
- Not legal in CA and other states with similar laws
Flowmaster 615111 is a performance air intake kit that delivers up to 9HP of gain and is compatible with RAM 1500 & 2500 trucks with making years between 2009 to 2018. Made from stainless steel, this Flowmaster air intake kit improves engine sound and makes it louder. Flowmaster is an affordable and value-for-money product, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. It requires no cutting or drilling and makes it easy to install. This product is great value for the price. Flowmaster 615111 is not legal in CA and fellow states with the same line of laws as CA.
Pros
- Delivers up to 9HP of gain
- Compatible with RAM 1500 & 2500 trucks between 2009 and 2018
- Superior High-Flow 8 Panel Cotton Gauze filter
- Improves engine sound
- Affordable and value-for-money
- Lifetime Flowmaster warranty
Cons
- Not legal in CA and other states with similar laws
5. S&B cold air intake system for RAM 1500
Highlights
- Maximizes the amount of airflow to your engine
- Impressive power boost
- It fits RAM 1500 models with 5.7 HEMI
- 4-layer (8-layers for diesel) cotton gauze filter media
- Specially made “crosslink” intake tube that minimizes restrictions
- Most systems install in under 30 minutes or less
- Made in the USA.
- Backed by an incredible million-mile warranty
- It is legal in all 50 states
- Affordable and reasonable price
If you’re looking for the best cold air intake for your Dodge RAM 1500 that’s more budget-friendly, look no further than S&B. As a result of intensive R&D, S&B cold air intake kit provides a noticeable performance boost and MPG upliftment. The CAI equips 4-layer cotton gauze filter media to help the engine’s effortless breathing whilst ensuring that no contaminant passes through. Plus, it’s washable and reusable. The cold air filter comes in a custom air casing that keeps heat and dirt within the hood at the bay. S&B cold air intake kit is designed to maximize airflow and deliver incredible power increases. Plus, it is backed with a fantastic million-mile warranty!
Pros
- Engineered to maximize airflow
- Delivers incredible power increases
- Washable and reusable filter media
- Compatible with all RAM 1500 models
- Installs in under 30 minutes or less
- Backed by a million-mile warranty
Cons
- It May be more expensive than other cold air intakes on the market
6. Performance Cold Air Intake Kit – Cheapest for RAM 1500
Highlights
- Fits 2009-15 Dodge Ram 1500/2009-15 Ram 2500/ 2009-11 Ram 3500 5.7L V8.
- Anodized aluminum pipes resist wear and tear for extra durability
- Easy to install, no need for complex tools
- Come with a heat Shield for protection from engine heat.
- Draws in more cold air resulting in better throttle response & HP
- Cheapest cold air intake for RAM 1500
Performance Cold Air Intake Kit is probably the cheapest yet high-quality CAI for RAM 1500. The kit is compatible with the 2009-2015 Dodge Ram 1500& 2009-2015 Dodge Ram 2500& 2009-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 5.7L V8 Engine. It has a sophisticated design that maximizes airflow to the engine resulting in a boost in acceleration, horsepower, and throttle response. The performance CAI uses anodized aluminum pipes to resist wear for extra durability. It is easy to install without the need for any complex tools that most people can do themselves. Not just that, the intake kit is protected with a heat shield for protection from engine heat.
Pros
- Adds power and acceleration
- Easy to install
- Sophisticated design for maximum airflow and impurity protection
- Boost in throttle response and horsepower output
- Cheapest cold air intake for RAM 1500
Cons
- None that we could find!
The cold air intake buying guide!
When shopping for a cold air intake, there are a few key features to look for:
- You want to make sure that the intake is compatible with your specific vehicle.
- You want to look for an intake that is easy to install, with all necessary hardware included.
- You want an intake that will increase airflow to your engine for more power and better throttle response.
- You want an intake backed by a good warranty if anything goes wrong.
With so many cold air intakes on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But if you keep these key features in mind, you’ll find the best cold air intake for your Dodge RAM 1500.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best cold air intake for Dodge RAM 1500 that’s more budget-friendly, look no further than S&B. As a result of intensive R&D, S&B cold air intake kit provides a noticeable performance boost and MPG upliftment. The CAI equips 4-layer cotton gauze filter media to help the engine’s effortless breathing whilst ensuring that no contaminant passes through. Plus, it’s washable and reusable. The cold air filter comes in a custom air casing that keeps heat and dirt within the hood at the bay. S&B cold air intake kit is designed to maximize airflow and deliver incredible power increases. Plus, they’re backed by a fantastic million-mile warranty!
What’s next? Check out our top cold air intake for a 5.7 HEMI charger here.
FAQs: Best cold air intake for RAM 1500
Does a cold air intake make a difference for RAM 1500?
Yes, a cold air intake can make a big difference for the RAM 1500. It will help improve your engine’s performance and increase its power. This is because cold air intake draws and feeds colder, denser, and oxygen-rich air to the engine, which means more power for the same fuel. It also improves and makes the engine sound more growling. CAI feeds more oxygen to the engine than stock fittings. To see more power out of your RAM, you will need these performance upgrades for the RAM 1500 truck.
What are the pros and cons of a cold air intake?
A cold air intake system can give your engine more oxygen, which means more power and better performance. However, the CAI has complex designs, making them quite expensive and sometimes difficult to install for newbies.
How much horsepower does a cold air intake give a 5.7 Hemi?
A cold air intake can give your 5.7 Hemi engine an extra 10-15 horsepower. This is because the CAI system draws in colder, denser, and more oxygen-rich air, which means more power for the same fuel qty.
Does cold air intake increase mpg?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on several factors, including the type of cold air intake, the make and model of your car, and your driving habits. However, many people report that they do see an increase in fuel economy after installing a cold air intake system. To improve mpg further, check out this special guide for MPG improvement in 5.7L HEMI vehicles.
What’s better, ram air or cold air?
Unlike a regular air intake system which draws comparatively hotter air with less oxygen density, CAI feeds the engine with colder air from the outside of your hood, which is more oxygen-rich and more oxygen means more power is one of the oldest practices in the book. So cold air intake is better here.
Does cold air intake make the car louder?
Yes, most of the time. Cold air intake feeds the engine with more oxygen which makes louder firing and power, so it can make the engine louder.
Is a cold air intake better than stock?
A cold air intake is typically better than stock because it allows for more airflow into the engine, which results in better performance.
