Which Air intake should I get?

Dispatcher91 · Apr 11, 2013

The truck is a 2012 1500 ST, 5.7L hemi 2wd.
the exhaust is sligthly modded, running stock cats to a
summit racing muffler and a turndown. (3" single)
I do not have a tuner or anything for the truck.

If I go with a K&N or Air Raid intake, will it poorly effect the
performance or fuel economy because of the way the computer
is set up to make the engine run? will it end up fouling up the mass
airflow sensors or oxygen sensors?
Is it a good idea to wait on the intake and get a tuner instead, and get
the intake later?

your feedback is much appreciated!

ram-head · Apr 11, 2013

From my research, Vararam is the way to go for performance, if you don't do much offroading. If you do, or just prefer a closed setup, S&B is a close second. I haven't heard anyone saying they've had issues with either. Maybe someone running them will chime in. I bought a Trinity for my truck as a first mod. I'm kinda wishing I had gone with a Vararam and throttle body instead. But that's just because I've been doing some 0-60 times and I want it faster.

BlkRamRt · Apr 11, 2013

ram-head nailed it..Go with vararam or s&b. I currently have the K&N and i was not really impressed...Im thinking of swaping mine later on down the road for either or.

ramguy11 · Apr 11, 2013

I'm against the majority here but I went with the volant fast fit. It was $166 vs $379.00 for the vararam and other than how it mounted to the box I am satisfied. If you are looking to build a full out race truck where you wanna squeeze every bit out then sure go with the vararam.

audio1der · Apr 12, 2013

If the truck were mine (and not "ours") I would have a Vararam.
My S&B butt dyno says no gain, only a little sound- not sure if any CAI would produce gains by themself. Likely more just part of the overall intake/TB/header/exhaust package.
The fitment of the S&B is so good you'd think MOPAR made it, but I was hoping for a little SOTP gain too...

Dispatcher91 · Apr 12, 2013

Thanks for the input guys, s&b sounds like a winner, but will installing one make my trucks computer freak out and start throwing trouble codes? I ran a cold air intake on my 03 chevy s10 and a week after instalation it started spitting check engine at me and i noticed a huge decrease in fuel economy (went from 21 mpg to 18 in a 4 cylinder truck)

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Dispatcher91 · Apr 12, 2013

When i noticed the fuel mileage loss i reinstalled the factory intake, bought a new mass airflow sensor and cleared the codes and it ran like it used to again. Rather than spending 400-500 for a tuner.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

ramguy11 · Apr 12, 2013

It was most likely the MAF you replaced.

Hemi Joe · Apr 12, 2013

Dispatcher91 said:
Thanks for the input guys, s&b sounds like a winner, but will installing one make my trucks computer freak out and start throwing trouble codes? I ran a cold air intake on my 03 chevy s10 and a week after instalation it started spitting check engine at me and i noticed a huge decrease in fuel economy (went from 21 mpg to 18 in a 4 cylinder truck)

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

It won't freak out the computer.

Chewy · Apr 12, 2013

While installing, remove the negative side to your battery (safe practice no matter what) and when done, reconnect. The computer will then be wiped of what it knew about incoming air and such and start from scratch.

Vararam gets my nod as well even though I plan to stay completely stock. lol

Chris

Hemi Joe · Apr 12, 2013

BTW, I love my S&B, haven't read one negative review on it unlike every other intake available.

audio1der · Apr 12, 2013

Installing (an S&B, at least) WILL NOT freak out your ECU. If it did my wife would not have supported doing this mod. I do my homework before buying anything and the S&B is a simple, clean install with professional results.

Dispatcher91 · Apr 12, 2013

Awesome! Disconnecting the battery makes perfect sense too, i'll definitely be doing that. I'll probably be waiting until after I close on the house im buying before i spend any money on the truck though, gotta have a house to park the thing in front of first!

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Tahoewheeling · Apr 13, 2013

What about hydro locking? I'm thinking about buying a CAI for my 2011 1500 (4.7L) is there any real risk of this under normal road use? Meaning no deep water submersion. BTW, I'm new here... Great discussions.

kschaefer426 · Apr 13, 2013

i havnt read of anyone who has had a problem with hydro locking...but as far as i know the vararam is for the hemi so i dont think it works with the 4.7..i could be wrong tho

Hemi450hp · Apr 13, 2013

The guys pretty much have you going in the right direction here. If you want the best performance, then the Vararam is the way to go, and if you are looking for a solid fit with better airflow then stock, then the S&B is the way to go. The S&B kit is available in both oiled or dry, and the Vararam comes with an oiled filter.

The S&B is $299, and the Vararam unit is $359. If you care more about performance, then the Vararam is well worth the extra investment.

Hornet · Apr 13, 2013

Do they make an S&B kit for the 4.7?
I see them listed for the 5.7 can they be adapted to a 4.7
Looks like a better set-up for snow/rain then an Air Raid kit.

Rick

Hemi450hp · Apr 13, 2013

Unfortunately, S&B doesn't make a 4.7 kit yet. The TB positioning is completely different, so I don't see how to make it work unless you only used the airbox and made your own intake tube to connect it to the TB.

Hornet · Apr 13, 2013

Thanks Matt.
I didn't think they'd fit,but thought it was worth asking.

Hey if you shoot me a price on things,and a phone number,you might end up with my credit card number,lol :peace:

Rick

Gotta admit,i like the forum,there's a pile of good reading here.
Thanks to whomever is in charge

Hemi450hp · Apr 13, 2013

I'm going to shoot you a PM in just a second.

Which Air intake should I get?

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Moe's Performance

Banned

Moe's Performance

Banned

Moe's Performance

Similar threads

Forum statistics