The Upgrade Guide for the 5.7 HEMI Cold Air Intake. For good reason, cold air intakes are a popular improvement on many different automobiles and engines. They’re inexpensive, simple to install, often look nice, and can aid improve performance. The final point is very significant for the Dodge 5.7 HEMI. It’s a fantastic engine, but we frequently claim that the 5.7L V8 is underpowered from the factory. A cold air intake is an excellent way to help wake up the 345 HEMI. In this essay, we will go over the benefits, costs, power improvements, and other aspects of 5.7 HEMI intake upgrades.
*Much of this article’s general information applies to all 5.7L HEMI engines. However, the product recommendations will be limited to the Dodge Charger and Challenger. A Ram 1500 guide will be available soon.
Advantages of 5.7 HEMI Cold Air Intake
The following are the advantages of a cold air intake upgrade for the 345 HEMI:
- 5-15+whp
- 5-15+wtq
- improved fuel economy
- enhanced throttle response
- Engine/induction sounds that are louder
Horsepower improvements from 5.7 HEMI cold air intake might vary greatly. It’s unlikely that you’ll gain much more than 3-7whp on a standard 5.7L V8. However, with other modifications, the intake alone can produce improvements of 10-15 horsepower and torque. Not bad for a 5.7 HEMI upgrade that is both inexpensive and straightforward to install.
Better fuel economy is another major benefit of intake modifications. However, it is usually a minor benefit. You may notice an increase of 0.1 to 0.5 MPG. The gasoline savings are not immediately evident, but they mount up over time.
A 5.7 HEMI cold air intake also improves throttle response and makes the engine and induction noises stronger. Expect no radical changes, but these are nonetheless good advantages of an intake upgrade. When you consider all of the advantages of a cold air intake, it’s difficult to go wrong with a simple, low-cost modification.
Designs for Dodge 345 HEMI Intakes
Cold air intake is a word that is frequently used to describe almost any enhanced intake. In truth, most “cold air intake” systems are not actual cold air intake systems. A stock location intake does not only draw in colder air. To do so, redirect the filter and/or piping to a lower location away from the heat of the engine bay.
Another term for enhanced air intakes is short ram intake. A ram intake is designed to utilise air pressure generated by vehicle motion to enhance the pressure in the intake. These short ram intakes pull air from within the engine bay and are intended to provide a short, smooth path to the engine.
Finally, there is no ideal answer regarding which intake is optimum for the 345 HEMI. A real 5.7 HEMI cold air intake, on the other hand, will most likely provide the biggest horsepower gains. It’s always a good idea to go for a high-quality intake that has undergone extensive R&D and testing. We also advocate using high-quality filters from manufacturers such as K&N, S&B, and others.
Upgrades for the 5.7 HEMI V8 Cold Air Intake
With some background information out of the way, let’s get into the finest 5.7 HEMI intake improvements. Please keep in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are numerous fantastic 5.7 HEMI Challenger & Charger intakes on the market. Simply put, there isn’t enough time or space to go over every good 345 HEMI cold air intake.
Instead, we’ll concentrate on a select intakes that we believe provide an excellent blend of price, quality, and performance. After that, let’s take a look at some of the top 5.7L V8 Charger and Challenger intakes.
1) CAI Upgrade for 345 HEMI Legmaker V2
Price: $384.99
Fits the following models: 2005-2022+ Challenger, Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300
The Legmaker 345 HEMI genuine cold air intake is an excellent all-around choice. We enjoy this intake upgrade for a variety of reasons. For starters, it’s a real cold air intake with the filter mounted in the fender. The intake employs 4′′ diameter carbon fiber tube, which we think looks great.
Legmaker employs a high-quality S&B filter with an 8-layer protective system. S&B creates some of the best air filters available, so there should be no issues there. In any case, the kit includes an 18-inch IAT extension harness for relocating the sensor as well as everything else required for installation.
While this list isn’t in any particular order, the Legmaker 5.7 HEMI cold air intake might be the finest option. A real CAI with carbon fiber piping and an S&B filter for under $400 is difficult to beat. If you’re searching for a true cold air intake, go no further; this intake is fantastic.
2) Cold Air Intake 5.7L V8 aFe Magnum Force
Price: $433.13 – 455.07
Fits the following models: 2005-2022+ Challenger, Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300
When it comes to American muscle car parts, aFe is a household name, and their intake kits are no exception. The CARB-approved 5.7 HEMI aFe cold air intake is permitted in locations such as California. It also implies that this thing is expensive.
Despite the moniker “cold air intake,” it is not a true CAI like the earlier Legmaker intake. However, this does not mean that aFe supplementation does not produce positive outcomes. It outflows the stock intake of a 345 HEMI by 40%. aFe promises dyno-proven increases of up to +17hp and +17 lb-ft, but such figures should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s probably conceivable, but not everyone can expect such large power boosts.
In any case, the aFe intake is a popular option for the 5.7 HEMI Challenger and Charger engines. They are a major, high-quality brand with well-tested and developed items. If you don’t mind paying a modest premium for those features, this aFe cold air intake is a fantastic choice. Other major brands that make excellent goods for the 5.7 HEMI include K&N and S&B.
3) Performance Intake Upgrade for Dodge 5.7 HEMI SR
Price: $149.99
Fits: 2011-2022+ Charger & Challenger
Without at least one low-cost alternative, no list is fully comprehensive. For the 2011+ Charger and Challenger, SR Performance provides a 5.7 HEMI cold air intake. It’s hardly the most appealing intake on the market. It is unlikely to be the best performing option. However, it’s difficult to disagree with a $150 price tag when most 5.7 HEMI intakes cost $300 or more.
We’re not sure what brand of filter the intake utilizes or how good that filter is. If this is an issue, a K&N or S&B filter that fits the pipe can be purchased. They typically cost between $40 and $70, depending on the type of cone filter.
Thousands of people have given the SR Performance 5.7 HEMI cold air intake positive feedback. It’s a popular low-cost solution that could be ideal for some. However, if you don’t mind paying a little more money, we recommend sticking with something like Legmaker, aFe, K&N, and so on.
Related : The Upgrade Instructions for the 5.7 HEMI Intake Manifold
Summary of the 5.7 HEMI Cold Air Intake
The 5.7 HEMI is a fantastic engine that is notorious for being underpowered out of the box. Despite its massive 5.7L displacement, it does not produce much power. However, the 345 HEMI responds quite well to improvements, and a cold air intake is an excellent place to start if you want to make more power.
On otherwise stock engines, an intake typically gains 3-7whp, but can pick up 10-15whp with other changes. Torque improvements should be in the same ballpark. A 5.7 HEMI intake also improves fuel economy and throttle response. Add in a louder engine and exhaust noise, and an intake provides a lot of value for the price.
Legmaker offers a low-cost, carbon fiber, genuine cold air intake for all 5.7 HEMI Charger and Challenger models. For good reason, it’s one of our top selections. In addition, aFe, K&N, S&B, and a few other major companies offer high-quality intakes for the 5.7L V8. Those on a tighter budget can select the $150 SR Performance cold air intake. Whatever you choose, a 5.7 HEMI cold air intake is a superb performance enhancement.
