Air Intake Systems & Cold Air Intakes

What This Category Covers

An air intake system pulls outside air into the engine and filters it before combustion. Upgrading the factory intake with a cold air intake, short ram intake, or carbon fiber system can improve airflow, throttle response, induction sound, and horsepower potential on compatible applications.

Cold Air Intakes vs Short Ram Intakes

Cold air intakes route the filter away from engine bay heat for cooler, denser intake air, which is the correct choice for most street and performance builds. Short ram intakes keep the filter closer to the engine for a more compact, aggressive-sounding setup, which suits tight engine bays and show builds.

Cold Air Intake Systems

Cold air intakes replace the factory airbox and tubing with a larger-diameter path and a higher-flow filter positioned away from engine heat. Legmaker Intakes, aFe Power Momentum GT and MagnumFORCE, K&N Engineering, Airaid, and Injen all offer cold air intake systems for Hellcat, Trackhawk, TRX, and daily-driven platforms.

Short Ram Air Intakes

Short ram intakes shorten the intake tract for compact routing and a sharper induction sound. Legmaker 392 Hemi and Injen short ram intakes are common choices for Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Dodge Durango HEMI applications where engine bay clearance limits a full cold air intake setup.

Air Boxes and Intake Components

Air boxes, intake elbows, silicone couplers, and hoses complete an intake installation or support custom fabrication. These components seal the intake path, route air around engine bay obstacles, and connect the throttle body to the intake tube on both factory and aftermarket setups.

Mass Air Flow Sensors

Mass air flow sensors measure incoming air volume so the engine computer can calculate the correct fuel delivery. Granatelli and OEM-style replacement mass air flow sensors are common upgrades when installing a larger intake tube or replacing a failed factory sensor.

Scoops, Snorkels, and Recharge Kits

Scoops and snorkels route air to the intake from outside the engine bay or above the vehicle, which is common on off-road trucks and Jeeps crossing water or dusty terrain. Recharge kits and filter cleaning kits restore the flow rate of reusable cotton-gauze air filters used in most cold air intake systems.

Air Intake Systems for Hellcat, Trackhawk, and TRX

Supercharged Hellcat, Trackhawk, and TRX platforms benefit most from a properly sized cold air intake, since factory tubing is often the first restriction point at higher boost levels. Legmaker, aFe Power Track Series carbon fiber, and JLT intakes are common choices for Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, and Dodge Durango Hellcat.

Diesel and Heavy-Duty Truck Intakes

Ram 2500 and 3500 diesel platforms use intake systems designed around higher airflow demand and larger factory piping. Confirm diesel-specific part numbers, since gas truck intakes rarely fit diesel applications.

Import and Domestic Car Intakes

Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Toyota, and BMW platforms use K&N, Injen, and Spectre intake systems sized for smaller displacement and turbocharged engines. Match filter media and tube diameter to the factory throttle body size for correct fitment.

Vehicle and Engine Coverage

This collection supports Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawk, Ram 1500 TRX, Ram 1500 RHO, Ram 2500 and 3500, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, and Kia platforms.

Confirming Fitment

Always confirm year, make, model, engine, and trim before ordering, since intake tube diameter and mounting points vary between engine variants on the same vehicle platform.

Top Air Intake Brands

• Legmaker Intakes. Cold air intakes and carbon fiber intake systems for Mopar platforms
• aFe Power. Momentum GT, MagnumFORCE, and Track Series carbon fiber intakes
• JLT. Cold air intake kits for Jeep Trackhawk and Mopar performance platforms
• K&N Engineering. Cold air intakes, Aircharger intakes, and performance filters
• Airaid. Cold air intake systems for trucks and SUVs
• Corsa Performance. Carbon fiber air intakes
• Injen. Short ram intakes and cold air intakes for import platforms
• Spectre. Air intake kits and recharge kits
• Granatelli. Mass air flow sensors and air intake components
• Vibrant Performance. Silicone couplers, hoses, and intake fabrication parts
• Black Ops Auto Works. Matched intake and tuning packages

How to Choose the Correct Air Intake System

• Confirm the exact year, make, model, engine, and trim before ordering
• Choose a cold air intake for cooler intake air and street or performance use
• Choose a short ram intake when engine bay clearance limits a full cold air setup
• Match filter media to your maintenance preference, oiled cotton-gauze or dry media
• Confirm tube diameter matches your factory throttle body or planned upgrades
• For boosted or supercharged platforms, confirm the intake is rated for your power level
• Check whether a tune is required after installing a larger intake system
• Confirm CARB or emissions compliance if your state requires it
• For off-road use, consider a snorkel to route air above water or dust exposure
• Replace or clean the air filter on the manufacturer's recommended service interval

Common Questions

Does a cold air intake add horsepower?

A cold air intake can add measurable horsepower on some applications, especially when paired with a supporting tune, but gains vary by vehicle and are often modest on factory-tuned engines without other supporting mods.

What is the difference between a cold air intake and a short ram intake?

A cold air intake routes the filter away from engine heat for cooler, denser air, while a short ram intake keeps the filter closer to the engine for compact routing and a sharper sound, at the cost of slightly warmer intake air.

Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake?

Most modern vehicles with mass air flow sensors self-adjust to a new intake without a tune, but some supercharged or heavily modified applications benefit from a supporting tune to fully use the added airflow.

Are cold air intakes legal in all states?

Not all intakes are CARB legal in emissions-strict states like California. Check the product listing for a CARB executive order number if you live in a state that requires emissions-compliant parts.

How often should I clean a reusable air filter?

Reusable cotton-gauze filters typically need cleaning every 12,000 to 15,000 miles under normal conditions, or more often in dusty or off-road environments, using a manufacturer-specific recharge kit.

Will a cold air intake void my warranty?

Aftermarket intakes themselves do not automatically void a factory warranty under federal law, but a dealer can deny warranty coverage for a failure directly caused by the modification.

What does a mass air flow sensor do?

A mass air flow sensor measures the volume and density of air entering the engine so the computer can calculate the correct fuel delivery. A dirty or failing sensor can cause rough idle, poor throttle response, or check engine lights.

Can I install an air intake system myself?

Most cold air intake and short ram intake kits are bolt-on installations that take under an hour with basic hand tools, though supercharged and diesel platforms may require additional steps.

What is a snorkel used for?

A snorkel routes intake air from above the vehicle roofline, which helps prevent water ingestion during water crossings and reduces dust intake on off-road trucks and Jeeps.

Do carbon fiber intakes perform better than plastic intakes?

Carbon fiber intakes are lighter and can offer marginal heat-soak advantages over plastic, but the performance difference on airflow alone is typically small. Many buyers choose carbon fiber primarily for engine bay appearance.

Why Buy Air Intake Systems from Black Ops Auto Works

Black Ops Auto Works stocks 4,427 air intake SKUs across cold air intakes, short ram intakes, and supporting components with real fitment data, competitive pricing, and support from staff who build these vehicles themselves. Products are filterable by vehicle platform, engine, and intake style to confirm the correct application before ordering.

For related upgrades, browse our air filters, air boxes, air intake components, engine performance parts, Mopar parts and accessories, and Black Ops Auto Works.