Modifying your truck’s engine system with the best cold air intake for dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi will heavily improve its overall performance.
Of course, the big question that you have to ask yourself before doing any type of modification is “what’s the best cold air intake for a dodge ram 1500?” Being truck modification enthusiasts, we know what exactly works for dodge ram 1500s.
That’s why we created a list of the best cold air intakes that are definitely better than your truck’s stock cold air intake. Here are 10 products that we think you’ll definitely like.
Page Contents
What’s The Best Cold Air intake For A Dodge Ram 1500
Both have great and outstanding features and strength, also have different series from this company, you can pick whatever suits you well. Read our other review articles jeep jk tuner,
Top 10 Best Cold Air Intake For Dodge RAM 1500/2500/3500 Reviews
01. AF Dynamic Cold Air Intake 2009-2017 – Reasonable Budget
First on the list is the AF Dynamic Cold Air Filter Intake. This product is manufactured by R&L Racing and is one of the most well-known cold air filter intakes among vehicle owners. If there’s one thing that this product is known for, it’s definitely quality.
First off, it has a reflective insulation mat which gives extra protection from overheating. This is usually connected to the heat shield. It’s also a pretty impressive air intake with regard to filter efficiency.
This intake is known to have a 95% filter efficiency as compared to paper filters, greatly increasing throttle response and horsepower as a whole. In fact, it can even increase total horsepower to about 10 HP.
It can also improve torque to about a max of 8% which is already quite impressive in itself. Other than overall performance enhancement, you’ll also love the fact that it’s so easy to install. There’s no extra drilling or cutting necessary since this product is compatible with a lot of truck models.
To be specific, it can fit 2009 to 2016 models. 30 minutes is all you need to install this filter. To top it all off, you’ll also get the roar of a sports car if you use this intake. Your vehicle will have a low and wild roar when you start up your engine.
Highlighted Features:
- Stainless steel parts for durability
- 95% filtration efficiency
- Gas mileage improvement feature
- High-quality rubber
- Creates deep and intense rumble
02. S&B 75-5106 Cold Air Intake – Dodge Ram 1500/2500 / 3500 5.7L HEMI For 2009-2018 (High Quality)
If we’re talking about durability and shelf life, then this is definitely one of the products that would take the cake. One of the first things that you’ll notice about this intake is that it doesn’t use traditional steel for the main parts. Instead, it makes use of silicone parts.
Silicone is known to last much longer than the usual steel and is known to not be affected by wear and tear that much. Also, the silicone enclosure can block off the heat of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, preventing it from overheating.
With that, you can expect this cold air intake to last pretty long without you having to replace it. Other than durability, its overall performance efficiency is also pretty impressive. It is able to increase the overall airflow by 41.28%.
That kind of percentage would definitely help increase the overall horsepower, throttle response, and even mileage. The filter has a 99.3% efficiency rating which is one of the most impressive ratings that you can find in products.
That alone may tell you that the filter can block off almost all contaminants that may enter the engine. To further showcase its quality, this product has been tested by the ISO 5011 Test Standard making it a really high-grade product.
Highlighted Features:
- Highly durable silicone air filter
- Silicone enclosure that prevents overheating
- Long-lasting silicone parts
- Washable and reusable filter
- Dry filter option
03. K&N 63-1561 Cold Air Intake For RAM 1500 2500 5.7L V8 2009-2017 – High Durability
If you’re looking for smoother performance instead of stronger performance, then the K&N 63-1561 Cold Air Intake is definitely for you. One of the most unique things about this cold air intake is that it has a chrome topped, massive air filter. Because of the size of the air filter, it’s really no wonder that it can really make the engine of your vehicle much smoother.
Just so you know, it can actually last up to 100,000 miles before you need to do any maintenance (this will also depend on how rough you drive and how much power you usually take out from the engine).
That’s extremely impressive because usual filters need to be maintained or cleaned out after every 12,000 to 20,000 miles. It also really increases horsepower, making your engine perform extremely smooth. Just to give you an idea, it can increase your engine’s horsepower by up to 15 HP or possibly even more.
Other than just horsepower, it also increases overall throttle response, allowing you to have a nicer ride without the shakes from the engine hood. Also, you’ll really like the low but smooth rumble that this filter can produce. It may not give that whole race car type of growl, but its rumble is more relaxing to the ears.
Highlighted Features:
- Oversized chrome topped filter
- Easy flow high-density intake tube
- 203mm size of the filter
- Can improve throttle response
- Replacement for an entire intake system
04. Flowmaster 615-111 Cold Air Intake 1500 5.7L Hemi 2009-2017 – Most Popular
If you’ve been modifying your vehicle for some time already, then you’re most likely familiar with the Flowmaster brand. Flowmaster is known for making various enhancement parts that can strengthen your engine and increase the overall performance of your vehicle.
Now, let’s start out with the filter. The filter is an 8-layer cotton filter which makes it washable and reusable. Due to this, it has a very high shelf life as compared to most paper filters. All you have to do is clean it when it is dirty and you can prolong its life.
Another thing that you’ll want to take note of would be its heat shield. Flowmaster understands how important the heat shield is because it’s this part that protects your intake system from heating up too much. The heat shield here is a powder-coated heat shield further strengthening its heat resistance.
You’ll also notice that the parts are made out of various materials, unlike other intakes that only make use of one material. This is done so that Flowmaster can achieve optimal durability with the best parts. The couplers are made of silicone while the intake tube itself is made of strong polyethylene. Lastly, the mounting hardware is made out of strong stainless steel.
Highlighted Features:
- Cotton gauze filter
- Factory mounting devices
- Comes in dry filter form
- The strong polyethylene intake tube
- Silicone hardware
05. AJP Cold Air Filter Intake RAM 1500 2500 3500 5.7L V8 – Low Budget
One thing that we can really say about this product is that it will really give you value for your money. This is definitely one of the most reasonably priced items on the list and at the same time does give some high-quality performance.
While it doesn’t really have that much clout against the other items on the list, one thing that you could really see with this filter intake is that it’s extremely easy to install. Since it is rather versatile with regard to models, it can fit pretty much any model from 2010 models of Dodge Ram 1500 to even the latest ones. There is no need for any cutting and trimming with this cold air filter intake. It may take a little bit of pulling and forcing the tube here and there.
You’ll also have a bit of a hard time installing it on the grommet (some glue and you’ll have this problem solved) but it’s a job that pretty much even a beginner can do. If you’re new at installing cold air intake systems, this one is recommended for you.
Highlighted Features:
- Easy to install an item
- Compact and lightweight build
- Efficient heat shield
- Stainless steel mounters
06. K&N 77-1561KP Cold Air Intake RAM 1500 2500 5.7L V8 Fits 2009-2018 – Improved Engine Sound
This K&N model is built for sports vehicles and high-power trucks. This product heavily enhances performance and regulates clean air with a lot of power making your ride much smoother than the usual. One of the best things about this product is that it is able to take in a lot of clean air while efficiently filtering out all the contaminants that may wear out your engine.
If there’s one aspect that this cold air intake really enhances, it would be acceleration because it is able to increase the rotations per minute, therefore allowing your vehicle to go even faster.
Just to give you an idea, this air filter allows you to have 50% more airflow to your engine. Of course, this also means that you will also have a nice boost in horsepower as well. So aside from getting your truck to speed up, it will also have more power to take the speed.
You can get a nice horsepower increase of up to 10.3 HP. Take note that this product replaces the entire air intake system, so if you have a stock intake system, you can take it out and use this one. Besides, this one is reusable and has an extremely long shelf life. Its shelf life is actually so impressive that it only needs maintenance after 100,000 miles of use.
Highlighted Features:
- The big-sized air filter of 8 inches
- 2009 to 2018 model fitment
- Air filter end diameter of 7.5 inches
- Lasts up to 100,000 miles before maintenance
07. Spectre Performance 9931 Intake Dodge Ram 5.2/5.9L (Red)
If you’re looking for a vast torque increase, then this cold air intake is the one that you should be looking for. The Spectre Performance 9931 Cold Air Intake is built for increasing the torque and the horsepower of your vehicle.
That’s why you’ll notice that your engine would really give a loud roar when you use this cold air intake. Now, one other great thing about this product is how versatile it is with truck models. It is compatible with Dodge Ram 1500 models even below the year 2008 models.
In fact, we have encountered some people who are able to fit this intake in their 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 models without any problem whatsoever. So, if you have any of those older model trucks and can’t find a cold air intake that would fit, try this one out for size.
Highlighted Features:
- Significantly increases torque and horsepower
- Polished aluminum tubing
- Red spectre special filter
- Steel heat shield with powder coating
08. DNA Motoring Air Intake System – Fits on Multiple Vehicle
When you look at this air intake system, the first thing that you’ll probably notice about it is that it’s pretty colorful. It comes in both red and blue colors, depending on what you want. However, it’s more than just aesthetics.
This awesome air intake system has a 95% filtration efficiency allowing you to give your truck better airflow. Of course, this would result in higher throttle response and more horsepower. You can get a boost in horsepower by up to 10 HP and get an increase in torque by up to 6%.
What you’ll probably like about this air intake system is that it’s very compact and lightweight. In fact, it’s so compact that it can actually fit into racing cars as well as trucks. It’s built for high performance with its special high airflow structure. Aside from that, the filter that is used is a micro cotton gauze variation which makes it easily washable.
Highlighted Features:
- Micro cotton gauze
- Increases gas mileage
- Increases torque and horsepower
- Lightweight built for high performance
- Bright and trendy color
09. K&N 57-1529 Cold Air Intake – High Longevity
This is yet another K&N product that will appear on the list. While the previously mentioned K&N product focuses on smoother performance, this one focuses a bit more on throttle response and power. What it does is that it gives you an extra horsepower boost of 8.63 HP along with a roaring sound.
Just like the previously mentioned K&N product, this one can also last up to 100,000 miles of use before you need to maintain it. Now, the rather different aspect of this K&N model is that it is compatible with other vehicles.
Some of the vehicles it is compatible with include the Ram Ram Pickups, the Dodge Ram 1500, and Ram 1500 models. I Being quite versatile, it is also really easy to install. In fact, you won’t even need to take more than 3 hours to install it. Probably either 1 and a half hours is all you need.
Highlighted Features:
- High compatibility with various vehicles
- High-density polyethylene material
- Comes with dry filter
- Can last 100,000 miles before maintenance
10. K&N 57-1533 Cold Air Intake – RAM 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 5.7L V8 Hemi
Last on the list is the K&N 57-1533 Cold Air Intake. Now, we have included three K&N cold air intakes to cover the various vehicle models that you may probably have. We believe that K&N is one of the best brands of cold air intakes in the market, so it definitely pays to list them down as one of our favorites in this list.
For this particular model, it is compatible with the 2003 to 2008 vehicles, if you happen to have these models. Just like the previously mentioned K&N products, this one can also last 100,000 miles before maintenance because of its very strong and high airflow filter.
It is also known for giving high boosts in horsepower. This product is able to boost your overall horsepower by a total of 10.48 HP to up to 11 HP. This product comes with two different types of material used for tubing depending on your own preference.
One would be the HDPE tube which is a little more flexible and can fit into more compact spaces. The chrome metal tubing, on the other hand, is a bit more rigid but more durable and lasts slightly longer. So, the choice would really be up to your needs and budget.
Highlighted Features:
- Chrome metal tubing
- HDPE tubing
- Has guaranteed horsepower gain of 10.48 HP
- Comes in a dry filter variant
- Strong but low engine rumble
- Highly improves throttle response
Buying considerations cold air intake for a dodge ram 1500
With that, you’re already aware of which 10 products you should consider buying. Of course, knowing about these 10 products doesn’t answer the question, “what’s the best ?” You still have to choose either just 1 or 2 out of the 10 choices that we’ve provided in our list above.
So to narrow down your choice to the best one, you need to have some sort of criteria that can help you. To make things easier, we have also provided a short buying guide complete with all the factors that you have to consider when looking for what’s the best cold air intake for a dodge ram 1500. So when choosing out of the top picks that we’ve given, refer to this set of criteria while relating it to the product and your own vehicle:
1. Size
First of all, we have to take into consideration the size of the cold air intake. When you choose the size of your cold air intake, you have to choose it according to the compatibility with your truck; otherwise, it won’t fit. Just check the compartment, measure it, and buy according to those measurements.
2. Compatibility
Size is one way to determine if the air intake is compatible with your truck, but a more important way to determine what would be the model compatibility. For example, there are some intakes that are compatible with only certain models.
So, before you buy your intake, you must first determine what model your truck is. After that, check if the intake you’re interested in is compatible with that model. For instance, the S&B cold air intake filter system is compatible with the 2009 to 2018 model 1500 Dodge Ram.
This means that it can fit 2009 models all the way up to 2018 models. There are some products that can fit even older models better while there are some that can’t. If you own a rather old model like a 1997 model vehicle, get the cold air intake that’s a little more versatile such as the Spectre Performance 9931 Intake from the list.
3. Filter
The next thing that you have to take into consideration would be the filter. In fact, the filter is probably the most important thing you have to think of because it will determine the quality of the cold air intake. You have to take note of the filtration efficiency before you buy your cold air intake.
The average filtration efficiency of a good product is around 95%, but there are better ones that have around 98% to 99% efficiency. The higher the better for the filter. Another thing that you have to take into consideration would be whether the filter is washable or not.
The cotton filters are the ones that are washable, but they do need regular maintenance if you don’t want them to wear out fast. These are the cold air intakes with a reusable filter and can be cleaned if they get clogged.
The other type is the dry filter which does not need that much maintenance. They last as long as the cotton filters, and they are oftentimes not reusable. The only upside of the dry filters is that you don’t need to clean them. Just replace them when they’re worn out.
4. Material
The material is also very important because it would determine the durability of the cold air intake. Stainless steel is the usual type of material used for these pieces of equipment. Stainless steel is pretty good because it is rust and corrosion-proof, so they do tend to last long without getting damaged too much over time.
If you really want long-lasting material though, the best would probably be the intake that has silicone parts. Silicone parts are extremely durable and usually last very long.
5. Price and Brand
The last two things to take into consideration would be price and branding. This is extremely important because you won’t want an intake that is of low quality. Now, you may be tempted to buy one that is low priced but isn’t from a renowned brand. This is not advisable because you might do your truck more damage than good.
Low-Quality cold air intake may even get clogged up resulting in your system to use up too much fuel.
FAQs About RAM Cold Air Intake
Now that you have a list of the best cold air intakes that you can choose from and a nice buying guide to help you choose the best one, what other things do you need to know?
Well, even if you have some knowledge on this type of product, it’s best that you know as much as you can about how the cold air intake system works, how to maintain it, what benefits it offers and other important stuff just in case this is your first time dealing with cold air intakes.
To help you with that, here is a list of some of the FAQs that most people would ask about cold air intakes for Dodge Ram 1500 systems plus their answers.
Q: How does a cold air intake filter help increase performance?
A: Basically, cold air intake filters would help bring in more clean air into the engine. With more clean and cold air inside the engine, the system would run more smoothly increasing acceleration and overall power.
Q: How often should I clean my cold air intake filter?
A: The usual timeframe to clean the cold air intake filter would be at least once in a year or once in 12,000 miles. It’s a little bit difficult to determine if you’ve already driven 12,000 miles, so once every year is a pretty conservative figure. If you live in an especially polluted area though, it is recommended that you clean it after every 6,000 miles or after every 6 months to clean out any clog caused by the dirty air.
Q: Can a cold air intake system increase my engine’s fuel economy?
A: Yes, it can! By bringing in more clean air into your engine, you are also bringing in a higher level of oxygen inside as well. When you bring in more oxygen, your engine combusts the fuel more efficiently, burning every ounce of fuel and maximizing its supply. With this product, you can get an increased mileage of around 2 miles per gallon. Of course, this also depends on how much power you use when you drive as well.
Q: Will a cold air intake system increases the life of my engine?
A: Yes, it will. Most of the time, wear and tear of your engine come from contaminants that would clog up your entire system. If you have a cold air intake system, you filter out these contaminants, preventing your engine from wearing out quickly.
Q: What are some of the tools that I need in order to replace the cold air intake filters?
A: Here are some of the important ones you’ll need:
- ¾ inch wrench
- 10mm wrench
- 4mm Allen wrench
- 5/16-inch socket
- 13mm socket
- 10mm socket
- Flat screwdriver
- Ratchet
- Extension
Q: How long does it usually take to replace or install the new cold air intake filter into the system?
A: This depends on whether you’re used to it or not. Usually, an old hand on this type of installation would take around an hour to do the replacement.
Steps on How to Replace the Cold Air Intake Filter
In the whole cold air intake system, the filter would probably be the most important part because it does the main job of the cold air intake which is to clean the air that goes into the engine. While you can maintain it to prolong its life, there will be a time when you will have to replace the filter.
If you need to do this, then you need to know the certain steps on how to replace the filter. This is just extra knowledge to help you out just in the event that your filter wears out and can’t be used anymore. Use the tools that we’ve mentioned above to get started.
- Disconnect the unit from the negative battery
- Disconnect the unit from the other parts of the engine such as the hose clamp, the vent hose, and intake tube
- Remove the stock intake from the body and take out the valve port from the assembly
- Put in the heat shield
- Connect the new cold air intake’s tube to the heat shield
- Install the breather hoses and the inlet air temperature sensor to the grommet
- Connect the intake tube to the pump hose
- Properly fit the tube, the hose, and the heat shield into the vehicle
- Place the new filter inside and clamp it down
- Connect the unit to the negative battery cable again
- Test your engine to see if it works well
Those are some of the steps that you have to take in order to install the new filter into your unit. If you’re a beginner, follow these steps in the event that your old filter wears out. You can even find videos on the internet that will teach you how to install the filter if you’re more of a visual person. This guide will at least give you an idea of how to do it.
Conclusion
Now that you have an idea of what’s the best cold air intake for a dodge ram 1500 for your truck, you’re now ready to run down to the store and make your pick. Since you have a more narrowed-down list of choices, you most likely won’t have such a hard time picking out the best one for your own vehicle.
With the help of the buying guide, you can zero in on the best product out of the ten that we’ve provided. Just so you know, the list was created not only from our own experiences with cold air intakes but also based on the experiences of other vehicle owners and comprehensive reviews.
From this, we narrowed down our choices based on the features of the products that we think are the best. We’re very confident that this list showcases only high-quality products for your vehicle.
We’ve also provided you with some extra knowledge on how the intake works, how it benefits your vehicle, how you can maintain it, and how you can replace the filter when it’s time to do so. With that, you’re now covered when it comes to properly handling cold air intakes. To get all you need you can check https://gmbbodyforum.com/best-cold-air-intake-for-dodge-charger/
- Gain increased horsepower and throttle response
- Circulates cooler air which is denser and produces increase in power by bringing more oxygen into the combustion chamber
- Premium, reusable air filter
- Easy at Home Installation and Support Provided by RC.
- Backed by Rough Country's Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty.
- [Specifications] This is a set of cold air intake ducts with air filter, aluminum construction, CNC mandrel bending, designed to provide maximum airflow.
- [Compatibility] This air intake kit is specially designed for Dodge Ram 1500 2009-2018 Classic 2019-2022 5.7L.
- [Material] The aluminum construction of the intake duct ensures durability and resistance to cracking in extreme temperatures, making it a reliable addition to...
- [Improved Performance] The improved airflow in the air intake kit helps improve engine performance and efficiency, keeping your vehicle running at its best.
- [Easy Installation] This Air Intake Kit has complete accessories, you can refer to the product description page for installation, but professional installation...
- GUARANTEED INCREASE IN HORSEPOWER & TORQUE: K&N cold air intake systems provide a less restrictive path for airflow, increasing the volume of cool, oxygen-rich...
- HEAR THE GROWL: K&N’s intake systems allow your engine to breathe and sound as it should- your engine will growl on acceleration and return to quiet once at...
- DYNO TESTING YOU CAN TRUST: K&N air intake horsepower/torque testing is performed on wheel-based dynamometers and the reports are include with each intake...
- BETTER TOWING: Air intake kit improves acceleration and uphill performance when towing by improving throttle response and overall horsepower and torque
- FEATURING K&N’s SIGNATURE, REUSABLE AIR FILTER: Combines 4 layers of pleated, breathable cotton with K&N’s red filter oil to absorb dirt and dust particles,...
- 【Fit】Cold Air System Replacement For Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20007 2008 4.7L 5.7L V8(Please confirm if the item fit your vehicle...
- 【Durable】Anodized aluminum Tubes resist wear, rust and corrosion for extra durability.
- 【Quality 】Good quality built Washable and Reusable Air Filter.
- 【Easy】Replace the factory air system, easy to install.
- 【Function】Improve the performance of your vehicle's cold air system.
- Fit for Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 5.7L V8 2009-2018(Please MATCH your vehicle on the left top)
- Fit for 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Model fits for Classic Model Only
- No additional parts will be needed for installation after you purchase this kit，Easy to install performance
- Gain increased horsepower and throttle response.
- Circulates cooler air which is denser and produces an increase in power by bringing more oxygen into the combustion chamber.
- Premium, reusable air filter.
- Easy at Home Installation and Support Provided by RC.
- Backed by Rough Country's Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty.
- Ram 1500 2500 Cold Air Intake Kit
- Part# SI-DG-22RD-03-B, SIDG22RD03B
- Replacement for 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L V8; 1994-2001 Ram 2500 5.9L V8; 1994-1996 Ram 2500 5.2L V8
- Replacement For Chevy 1988-1995 Blazer/Tahoe 5.7L V8; 1988-1995 C1500/K1500 4.3L/5.0L/5.7L V8; 1988-1995 C2500/K2500 4.3L/5.0L/5.7L V8; 1988-1995 C3500/K3500...
- Replacement For GMC 1988-1995 V1500/V2500/V3500 5.7L V8; 1988-1995 R1500/R2500/R3500 5.7L V8; 1988-1995 C1500/K1500 4.3L/5.0L/5.7L V8; 1988-1995 C2500/K2500...
- 【Compatible with】Cold Air Intake Fit for Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 5.7L V8 2009-2018; 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Model fits for Classic Model Only
- 【The Air Intake Kit】Help your engine to draw in more cold air resulting in better throttle response and higher explosive horsepower output
- 【The Heat Shield】Protect the filter from dirt and debris and to keep hot underhood air away from the element for a cooler intake air charge
- 【Function】Designed to increasing 5-10% horsepower & 6-8% torque, improve your fuel efficiency and creating an attractive intake noise
- 【Easy to Install】Easy to install and easy to fit with simple tools. No additional parts will be needed for installation after you purchase this kit
- This cold air intake kit Fit for 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup All Model with 5.2L/5.9L V8 Engine; Fit for 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup All Model with 5.9L...
- Triple Reinforced Silicone Able to Withstand High Heat and Pressure, Will Reduce Vibration Transfer Due to Hard Impact Shifting or Engine movement
- Fits Automatic & Manual Transmission,Come with all you need in the picture, ready to be installed
- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product,...
- Fits Automatic & Manual Transmission,Come with all you need in the picture, ready to be installed
- Triple Reinforced Silicone Able to Withstand High Heat and Pressure, Will Reduce Vibration Transfer Due to Hard Impact Shifting or Engine movement