Cold Air Intake

Chiefofsf · Jun 8, 2019

I just bought a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi I was thinking about putting a cold air intake on it and wanted to ask your opinion on the K&N CAI or the Mopar CAI. I know there can be about $150 in price difference just wondering if there was any difference in performance between the two and which one is better?
thanks for your time

JHayez1911 · Jun 8, 2019

I run the Mopar CAI, put it on the day I bought the truck. Very happy with it. Haven’t ran a K&N so can’t comment on the performance difference.

NoveskeFan · Jun 8, 2019

I thought the consensus was that the oem airbox setup was already pretty much a decent "cold air" system. I swapped my air filter for a Dryflow AEM and am thinking of doing the ecodiesel box swap for the unrestricted flow.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/better-flowing-intake-for-5-7-w-ecodiesel-lower-airbox.139834/

Chiefofsf · Jun 8, 2019

If I recall correctly....the mopar CAI takes air from the fender area? Verses the K&N using engine compartment with a housing around it....right?

NoveskeFan · Jun 8, 2019

Chiefofsf said:
If I recall correctly....the mopar CAI takes air from the fender area?

I believe it does, same as stock box. There is also a duct kit that works with the sport hood and Mopar CAI. The Mopar CAI might have a larger opening in the side of the box similar to the ecodiesel.

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku-ymm/2017-ram-1500/82214741ab.html?gclid=CPzEqZXk2eICFV4YrQYdWikLQA

Also, I had a S&B CAI on my 2013 RAM (sealed system). Other than being a little louder at WOT, it didn't seem any better than stock with a Dryflow AEM. I wouldn't run an "open" system like the K&N that is open to the engine bay, just personal preference.

Chiefofsf · Jun 8, 2019

Thanks for your input. I agree that air coming from the fender area is cooler then engine compartment air.

Pull Ya · Jun 8, 2019

IMHO--unless you want something that looks better or you race your truck, the stock CAI is sufficient for most applications. People have made modifications to the stock system to increase the air flow however. There are lots of threads about it.
Jay

nwsewell · Jun 8, 2019

If you want to keep the stock look, you might consider the airaid jr kit. Comes with a reusable high flow filter, and replaces the piping from the air box to the throttle body with a much smoother setup. Its also significantly cheaper.

Personally, I run the Vararam air grabber. It looks awesome, and gives you the best horsepower per dollar gain. I noticed a definite difference in acceleration, and it's got a subtle throatier sound at WOT.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

2016Bighorny · Jun 8, 2019

I run the Eco-Diesel airbox and an Airraid dry flow filter and I am happy as a clam!...

NoveskeFan · Jun 8, 2019

nwsewell said:
If you want to keep the stock look, you might consider the airaid jr kit. Comes with a reusable high flow filter, and replaces the piping from the air box to the throttle body with a much smoother setup. Its also significantly cheaper.

Personally, I run the Vararam air grabber. It looks awesome, and gives you the best horsepower per dollar gain. I noticed a definite difference in acceleration, and it's got a subtle throatier sound at WOT.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

Do they make the airaid kit or intake tubes for 4th gen RAM’s? I’ve looked before but they don’t list it on their website.

H1Chester · Jun 8, 2019

First, K&N isn't really going to pull "cold" air and I doubt the Mopar one is either. If you want "cold" air you need an insulated box pulling air from outside the engine.

I kept my stock box and use an AFE dry drop in filter.

clint440 · Jun 8, 2019

I have a K&N CAI on my ram. Came on it when I bought it. Would not have been my first choice. It's not a completely sealed box but it has a lot of shrouding and I do think the shrouding blocks the engine heat well enough and captures the air from the fender. Also the hood seals the top when it's closed.

My biggest gripe with K&N is I don't think they filter very well. My couple oil analysis showed more silica than what I'm use to. I ended up replacing the air filter with an Amsoil. I'm hoping next oil analysis will show decrease.

If it were me, I'd probably do the stock ecodiesel mod. If you have money to burn, I do think the Mopar CAI is a nice looking unit and probably the better CAI system to buy. Varam seems to get results and looks cool as well.

misfit77 · Jun 8, 2019

I just modified my air box to scoop from behind the bumper as well as the factory fender hole.

Seems like most intakes are warm air intakes.

mikes18ramsport · Jun 10, 2019

NoveskeFan said:
I believe it does, same as stock box. There is also a duct kit that works with the sport hood and Mopar CAI. The Mopar CAI might have a larger opening in the side of the box similar to the ecodiesel.

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku-ymm/2017-ram-1500/82214741ab.html?gclid=CPzEqZXk2eICFV4YrQYdWikLQA

Also, I had a S&B CAI on my 2013 RAM (sealed system). Other than being a little louder at WOT, it didn't seem any better than stock with a Dryflow AEM. I wouldn't run an "open" system like the K&N that is open to the engine bay, just personal preference.

mikes18ramsport · Jun 10, 2019

I figured a before and after picture with the stock and mopars cold air intake would help. They both draw from the same place in the fender well. Stock is the paper filter style with mopar being conical. You can take the lid off the top of mopars also if you want. Definitely will hear a difference at wide open. If you have the ram air sport hood, I would get mopars and the kit that works with the passenger side air scoop.

Tray Burge · Jun 10, 2019

K&N is excellent if you want to make your performance go down. Ask me how I know?

Chiefofsf · Jun 10, 2019

I want to thank everyone for your replies. I've decided to go with the mopar CAI for my Ram 1500 5.7

JHayez1911 · Jun 10, 2019

Chiefofsf said:
I want to thank everyone for your replies. I've decided to go with the mopar CAI for my Ram 1500 5.7

I think that’s a good choice it’s what I have.

JHayez1911 · Jun 10, 2019

mikes18ramsport said:
I figured a before and after picture with the stock and mopars cold air intake would help. They both draw from the same place in the fender well. Stock is the paper filter style with mopar being conical. You can take the lid off the top of mopars also if you want. Definitely will hear a difference at wide open. If you have the ram air sport hood, I would get mopars and the kit that works with the passenger side air scoop.

View attachment 169439

View attachment 169440

Have you had the lid off the Mopar? I might just try that.

16RamHemi · Jun 10, 2019

i bought my truck with a mopar cai on it. i notice absolutely nothing from it. i have taken it apart a couple times. i would never pay what they want for one. i would not even pay half. such a waste. looks good though. has anyone seen any dyno proven results with the mopar cai? vararam proves its worth. anything from mopar? $470 lol. and.$350 for the "sport air duct". an $800 cai. lol

Cold Air Intake

Junior Member

US NAVY (RET)

Senior Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

U.S. MARINE VETERAN

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

US NAVY (RET)

US NAVY (RET)

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page