Top 4 Best Cold Air Intakes for Ford F250/F350/F450 Superduty – Best Buying guide
Are you stuck off from your truck performance…
..and want to upgrade it with the latest performance mods that gives monster gain in power and more MPGs without going much out from your pocket…
If Yes!
Then you landed at right place. This article is your go to guide if you want some extra power and torque along with extra miles per gallon in your truck.
Here we’re talking about the Air intakes or the performance Air Intakes.
Let me tell you how you can increase your power and MPGs with the performance Air Intakes.
The Cold Air Intake replaces your stock intake and boosted the flow rate and increase the horsepower and performance as more air means more oxygen and combustion.
The Cold Air Intake System relocates the filter outside of the engine compartment to deliver the coolest air inlet temperatures possible.
Cooler air carries more oxygen, which translates into a more intense explosion in the combustion chamber to create more horsepower and torque. But that’s only part of the power equation.
Tuning the inlet pipe in length and diameter to match the engine’s resonance helps move more air to the cylinders (think of your engine as a big air pump), and this tuning allows us to deliver the maximum power gains throughout the entire RPM range.
All the Cold Intakes has similar functions (according to vehicle) with little change in efficiency and power output but the difference is in the shape,size,material and in the cost.
You have just to choose which parameter you want to upgrade according your need.
Benefits of Using Cold Air Intake
#1 Power/Hp Gain : This is one of the most obvious benefits of using Cold Air intake in your vehicle. More air or oxygen means good combustion which allows good fuel rich air/fuel mixture to ignite properly hence increasing horsepower of your vehicle.
#2 Increased Throttle Response : With the time you will come to find that your vehicle will be performing bit slow and lagging in the performance during tough paths. By increasing air flow and combustion in your engine you will be adding more throttle response to your vehicle. As performance air intakes gives your vehicle more throttle response whenever you press gas pedal.
#3 Boosted Mileage or Fuel economy : By using performance cold air intake you are basically increasing your gas mileage. As better oxygen level means better combustion and rick fuel/air mixture will burn properly and you get more energy out of every drop of fuel hence increasing mileage.
You will see 1-2 Miles per gallon increase in your mileage but along with this you have to maintain your driving habits also as in if you’re driving hard using extra power and acceleration that will surely not lead to increase in mileage. So be cautious about that.
#4 Increase Engine Life: Installing a cold intake will increase your engine’s life. As good combustion and cold air means less contaminants accumulated inside engine that leads to better engine life.
#5 Easy Installation : The best part of Performance Air Intake is that they’re very easy to install with simple tools and installation instructions. If you’re totally new then mechanic help is recommended otherwise you can install by seeing videos or reading installation manual also.
After knowing all of the benefits lets look into some of the things to consider before buying cold Air Intake.
Things to Consider before Buying Cold Air Intake
#1 Filter: This is important to evaluate the quality of filter before buying the cold air intake as it is the important part. It should be reusable and washable. In this way it will last longer and saves your money also as there is no need of replacement just clean it and use it again.
#2 Size: Choose the right size according to your truck. Just look at the engine space and also look into some details regarding size while buying Cold Air Intake. You have to choose wisely which one fit easier and will not compromise with any of the above benefits.
#3 Durability: Evaluate properly the material of the cold air intake before buying. Choose that air intake which will prone to wear and tear and will last long and made from high quality material.
#4 Price: Price is obvious the main thing to consider as everyone wants to buy cheap and best but don’t compromise with quality and performance with price.And after all with best air intake you will be saving indirectly (on fuel mileage).
#5 Style of Cold air intake : The other thing to think about is the style or type of cold air intake system. There are generally three types : the short ram system , Ram Air intake and the true cold air intake system.
Short RAM Intake VS True Cold Air Intake
- Short ram system: The short ram is basically replace your factory intake with a new smooth pipe and an open element air filter .It draws air from inside the engine bay but give a short, smooth path to the engine.It is easy to install and cheaper than cold air intake.Since it takes place as your factory pipe so it allows for engine heat to have an easier path into your intake system, creating less horsepower and torque as compared to cold air intake. Its design tends to require less “plumbing” or fabrication work.
- True cold air intake: Whereas Cold Air intake or The “true” cold air intake places an emphasis on moving the air filter as far forward as possible. It draws air from outside the engine bay to give engine cooler and denser air. It produces more supplemental cold air flow than the short ram design. Due to the intake having more piping, the cold air is usually more expensive, and more difficult to install.
- Ram Air Intake: The Ram Air Intake is pretty much similar like cold air intake only the difference is – it comes with longer tubes and air filter at the back of system. This is more beneficial during high speeds as it draws larger volume of air with wind pressure which results in more engine power.It is somewhat like turbocharger but with less parts.
It’s depend upon you which air intake you want to buy, if you’re ready to spend money and want noticeable performance and horsepower increase then Cold Air intake is best.On the other side if you don’t want to spend much and want good economy increase along with better throttle response then you should go with Short ram intake.
These are some of the points you should keep in mind before buying Cold Air Intake. If you have any doubt fell free to comment below.
Here in this article we’ve listed the 4 of the top Performance Air Intakes for your Ford F1250/F350/F450 that will boost the performance.
Also Check :Best 3 Mods.Upgrades Combination to Boost Ford F 150 Performance
So without wasting much time let’s start out list.
Here we Go!
Best Cold Air Intake for Ford Superduty
#4 Sinister Diesel Cold Air Intake for 2017+ Ford Powerstroke 6.7L
If you’re not aware about Sinister brand, then let me tell about that this is American born and bred company that is owned by group of diesel, truck and 4X4 Off-road enthusiasts.
Today, sinister one of the fastest growing online aftermarket diesel parts retailers around.
If you’re looking to get more performance and fuel economy from your 6.7L PowerStroke engine, then the Sinister Diesel cold air intake is one of the best way to go!
It comes with aluminum tubing which features CNC mandrel bending for easy and smoother airflow.Moreover it offers excellent durability with long-lasting reusable cotton filter media that is oversized just to maximize the air flow rate.
You will not get any corrosion or rust in the future as the tubing is polished and powder coated in the signature Sinister Blue that will also add great looks under the hood.
The Sinister Cold air intake is perfectly designed and engineered to improve throttle response and turbo spool up ensuring the highest level of performance and quality.
This cold air intake not only proves to be best for daily driving but at a same time it is great for towing and even for racing applications also.
You will get all mounting hardware and installation instruction that will be necessary for its fitting. The silicone couplers and other necessary hardware will allow you to install this cold air intake in no time.
In the end, it is not wrong to say, if you’re looking for not so expensive cold air intake that gives you perfect increase in performance and suits you in daily driving condition then this will be option for you.
And, if you want to add some more HP and Torque, then we would suggest you to pair it with Sinister Diesel Exhaust – that will surely make a deadly combination and will give you real performance increase.
Check customer reviews and ratings
Key Features
- Compatible with 2017+ Ford F250/350 6.7L Power stroke
- Improves Throttle response , Turbo spool up and overall performance
- Comes with CNC Mandrel Bent Aluminum Tubing for a Perfect Fit
- Great airflow with oversized Long lasting Reusable Cotton Filter media
- Polished and powder coated tubing
- Easy to install and comes with all necessary hardware
#3 aFe Power 51-73006 Momentum HD Performance Air Intake System For Ford (Dry, 3-Layer Filter)
Outflow your Vehicle stock intake with the aFe Power 51-73006 Momentum HD Performance Air Intake System.
Depending on the performance needs of your engine, aFe replaces restrictive stock parts with custom- tuned components. Most kits include an aFe performance filter of your choice and all come with a powder-coated steel heat shield to keep the air flow cool.
The air intake features unique one-piece high quality sealed housing with auxiliary scoop (that you won’t found in most of the air intakes) that is used to eliminate the use of multiple-piece housing and ensure the coolest intake charge available.
Moreover, you will also get a urethane plug that you can use to block off the auxiliary air intlet, if required.
The air intake system comes with high quality, dyno-tuned intake tube to extract out maximum power while maintaining a perfect fit.
Not only this, the system comes with 3-layer Momentum performance air filter that is designed around a massive Pro Dry S performance 360 radial flow air filter with 3-layers of progressive synthetic media providing 99.2% cumulative efficiency.
One of the most unique thing that this air intake comes with is the- air filter to housing interface that allows maximum filter size which increases the available air volume and also at the same time simplifying the installation process.
Moreover, a large, clear sight window is also there for hassle-free inspection and an aggressive style.
While talking about the durability of this air intake- then don’t worry about that as the air filter is wrapped in reinforced metal that will provide maximum strength and prevents the filter from collapsing.
Improve performance by boosting hp and throttle response with the premium clamps and a silicone elbow coupling for more strength and flexibility while providing secure hasle-free installation.
You can also get Dynamic air scoop (p/n 54-73006-S) sold separately to direct more cold air for the front of the truck into the intake housing and make it work more efficiently .
The aFe air intake system Is backed by lifetime warranty.
This product is not currently CARB exempt and is not available for sale in California or for use on any vehicle registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicle.
Check out Customer Reviews & Ratings
Also check Oiled Filter Air Intake from aFe >> aFe 50-73006 Momentum HD Performance Air Intake(OILED, 10-LAYER FILTER)
Key Features
- Outflows the factory intake by up to 21 percent . Produces an additional 12 horsepower and 32 lbs. x ft. torque
- High Quality One-Piece Sealed Housing with Auxiliary Air Inlet
- Features Pro Dry S oil-free washable/ reusable filter for maximum convenience
- Unique – air filter-to-housing interface that allows maximum filter size
- Highly durable
- No cutting or drilling required
- Backed by lifetime warranty
#2 Roush 401903 Cold Air Intake Kit for F-250/F-350 6.0L Diesel Super Duty
Enhance your Engine’ performance with the Roush Cold Intake system as it feed more air to the engine and unleash its trapped potential.
Made for F250 and F350 6.0L diesel Super Duty models, the cold air intake will open up the hidden power and will increase the fuel economy of your engine.
Featuring Rough air filter, air dam and induction tube, this air intake from Roush, uses a more efficient air intake method than the standard air filtering process, thus resulting in unleashing the latent potential in power than any normal stock engine.
Roush air Intake is best known for the SAE standards synthetic nano-fiber material air filter media that can capture almost twice the percentage of 2 micron particulates and make it best of all air filters available at same price.
The air filters are highly durable as it will not crack, curl or shrink like any other normal air filters. Moreover, you can wash it and use it again and again as it features a lifetime warranty.
After the air filter, the Roush air intake features Modular Intake Tube (MIT) which is made from cross-linked, high-density polyethylene and provides straight and smooth unrestricted path and improves airflow up to 400 CFM over any stock air intake.
You can get all necessary hardware and installation instruction which will help you to install in no time.
Check out customer reviews and ratings
Features
- Compatible with Ford 6.0L V8 F-250/F-350 (for Other Models Click here)
- Easy Installation – no drilling or cutting
- Features High quality synthetic air filter
- Highly durable and long lasting
- Aggressive looks
- Features MIT for better airflow
- Limited lifetime warranty
#1 K&N Cold Air Intake Kit with Washable Air Filter: Ford Super Duty (F250, F350, F450, F550) 6.7L V8 Diesel
Wait for the First position is over- K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit stands at #1 Position in our list of Top 4 best Air Intake kits.
Whether to Haul ,tow or climb the stope the K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit is your best bet to boost up your performance level of your truck.
Before moving forward let’s take a look on manufacturer- K&N Engineering, of Riverside, California, is the inventor and leading innovator of reusable cotton gauze filter technology for automotive applications.
K&N exists as both the sales and brand leader for performance filters, and maintains a stocking catalogue of over 3,500 part numbers, including an extensive line of both factory replacement drop-in filters, FIPK (Fuel Injection Performance Kit) applications, and its line of innovative Performance Gold oil filters.
Now Coming towards the Performance Cold Air Intake Kit- it is custom designed for your specific made , make and model.
The K&N 63-2597 Air Charger air intake system replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing on Ford superduty models.
K&N air intakes are designed to dramatically reduce air intake restriction as well as smooth and straighten air flow.
This allows your engine to inhale a larger amount of air than the factory air filter assembly. More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engine’s RPM range.
The air intake comes with a chrome topped K&N high-flow air filter and a heat shield that installs into the original air box space.
Air is directed through an aerodynamically engineered intake tube into the engine’s throttle body and turbo inlet for a guaranteed power gain.
The tube accommodates the factory air temperature sensor. The oversized cone shaped air filter can be used for up to 100,000 miles before servicing is needed depending on driving conditions.
This air intake is relatively easy to install, usually in 90 minutes or less using your vehicle’s existing factory mounting points. The tools needed are a screwdriver and an Allen wrench.
Check out Customer reviews and ratings
Key Features
- Guaranteed to Increase Horsepower and performance
- Designed to improve throttle response and engine sound
- Add up to 50% more airflow
- Comes with Largest possible K&N Filter charger cotton-gauze filter (washable & Reusable)
- Lasts up to 100,000 miles before service is required (depending on driving conditions)
- Replaces entire factory air intake system
- Free-flowing high density polyethylene tube
- Easy installation with details instructions and a complete hardware kit
Check K&N Cold air Intake kit for All FORD Superduty Models Year-wise
What are the Indicators of Bad or faulty cold Air Intake?
These are the three symptoms or indicators that will alert you that your Cold Air intake in not functioning properly.
Bad or Faulty Air intake
1.Reduction in Engine Performance
This is one of the most common indicator that will alert you that something is not good with cold Air Intake. Mostly over the time, the air filter gets clogged or become dirty that will result in reduction in power, accelerations and mileage. You will also experience problems while starting the vehicle that something is stuck and starting will become not smooth as before.
2. Excessively High Idle
The another indicator or alert you may get with the faulty Cold Air intake is an excessively high idle. Faulty cold air intake is not only the factor for high idle but this is one of the potential indicator. High Idle in this case is a symptom of vacuum leak. Most of the cold air intake systems come with vacuum ports to accommodate the original manufacturers vacuum routing. If the hoses on these ports or the ports will break that will lead to a vacuum leak and will cause excessively high idle.
3. Check Engine Lights
If the sensors installed in the cold air intake detects any issues, then it will set the Engine light on that will be the sign of something bad with the cold air intake whether it was vacuum leak or any faulty sensors. You can check the Engine light with Engine light reader also. Those sensors installed in the intake are specially designed to detect any problem and let your alert about the same.
Important things to consider for long life of Cold Air Intake – Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips and important things to consider for longer life of Cold Air intake. Here we mentioned only the names to Read full tips >> Click Here
- Timely Maintenance : Always do regular checks and inspection and keep your air filters clean for longer life.
- Check for any Water Intake (or Ingestion) : Check for Any water ingestion in you Air intake system . Entering of water in intake system will lead to engine failure
- Which one to Choose Dry or Oil Filter – Choose between the two according to your driving conditions.
- Keep the Air Box Cooler and Increase its efficiency Using Heat Shield – use thermal barrier for better efficiency of intake system
- CARB Approval – Your intake system must be CARB Approved.
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Cold Air Intake Buying Guide – FAQs
Q.What is cold Air Intake?
Ans. A Cold air intake kit is replacement or aftermarket part that is designed to provide the engine with greater capacity of cooler air. Cold Air intake provides improved combustion rate by drawing in colder air. There are many flow restrictions by means of tubes, bends and turns that basically slower down the incoming air for combustion with time. More restrictions mean more resistance and temperature and less air or oxygen delivered to combustion chamber causing a poor ignition of fuel rich air/fuel mixture. This leads to decrease in performance with time.
Cold air Intake system is designed to free up those restrictions and drawing in colder air or more oxygen and maximizing combustion in your engine and hence increasing performance of your truck.
Q. Why Cold Air Intake is important for the engine?
Ans. Cold Air intake draws in cold and denser air to the engine which has high concentration of oxygen. This means better combustion and less fuel is needed to create the spark and run the engine which leads to better horsepower, torque and fuel economy. Moreover, it increases the efficiency of the engine also.
Q. Does cold Air intake make any difference in performance?
Ans. Yes, Cold Air Intake do make a difference in performance. Some manufacture claims as much as 20-30 HP increase. But you will easily get 15-20 increase in horsepower and noticeable economy increase. And, if you’re using other modifications also like better performance exhaust, Tuners or suspension then you will create a much more efficient system.
Q. How often should I replace my cold air intake filter?
Ans. It depends upon the type of air filter you’re using. If you’re using Oiled filter that is re-usable and will last longer than the dry filter. So, it depends upon your cold air intake system.
Q. How many types of Cold Air intakes are there And Which is better cold air intake or Short Ram?
Ans.There are generally three types : the short ram system , Ram Air intake and the true cold air intake system.
Short ram system: The short ram is basically replace your factory intake with a new smooth pipe and an open element air filter .It is easy to install and cheaper than cold air intake.Since it takes place as your factory pipe so it allows for engine heat to have an easier path into your intake system, creating less horsepower and torque as compared to cold air intake. Its design tends to require less “plumbing” or fabrication work.
True cold air intake: Whereas Cold Air intake or The “true” cold air intake places an emphasis on moving the air filter as far forward as possible. It draws air from outside the engine bay to give engine cooler and denser air. It produces more supplemental cold air flow than the short ram design. Due to the intake having more piping, the cold air is usually more expensive, and more difficult to install.
Ram Air Intake: The Ram Air Intake is pretty much similar like cold air intake only the difference is – it comes with longer tubes and air filter at the back of system. This is more beneficial during high speeds as it draws larger volume of air with wind pressure which results in more engine power. It is somewhat like turbocharger but with less parts.
It’s depend upon you which air intake you want to buy, as from the name Short Ram intake provides short path which results in better throttle response. Moreover, it draws air from inside the engine bay which is much warmer and better for complete combustion of fuel which means short ram intakes gives better gas mileage also than cold air intake.
Whereas on the other hand Cold Air intake draws in cold and denser air that means more oxygen available for combustion which leads to more power. On the other hand, sometimes Short Ram intake gets issue like its intake pipe gets heated up due to engine heat- for that you need heat shield installed in the Short Ram Intake.
Q. Does a cold air intake damage your engine?
Ans. There is a bigger concern with air intake to your vehicle – that is hydrolocking or hydrolock. It is the condition in which engine takes in water instead of air, causing engine damage. As water gets trapped in the cylinder of the engine and it doesn’t compress also which can ruin the pistons and cause connecting rods to bend and damage the engine. But this is very rare case nowadays.
This have happened in past but now it’s very rare thing to happen as now the cold air intake comes with air bypass valve installed in the middle of the cold air intake. The high pressure of bypass valve would not allow water to engine your engine. The other option is you can choose short ram intake, so there is no option for hydro-lock.
We recommend if you’re living in area where the raining is very common than you should choose short ram intake.
Q. How Much a good cold air intake cost?
Ans. Changing from your vehicle’s intake system to Cold Air Intake system will cost around $150 to $550, depending upon the system. The cost is worth it actually , as you will save on fuel and your engine will get more power and better working.
Q. Why my cold intake pipe becomes very hot or what is heat Soak?
Ans. If your intake pipe is becoming hot very frequently then this is condition of heat soak in which the intake pipe itself heats up and it also increase the temperature of air going into your engine, decreasing engine performance. This is the issue usually with low grade air intakes. A good intake system is made from material such as aluminium that doesn’t allow the piping to get hot enough to effect performance.
Q. Does you need any tune with a cold air Intake?
Ans. Cold Air intake itself is best option to get more power and better mileage. Whereas if you want more advanced modifications then you should go with Tuners or Programmers, performance Exhausts, Suspensions and in trucks tonneau covers for better overall efficiency.
Q. Why some air intakes are cheaper than the others? If this really makes any difference?
Ans. First of all it totally depends upon your budget and system, which one you have to choose. But choosing cheaper one does not gives you that performance like the normal air intake. The cheaper air intakes usually come with simple design with a pipe and cheap filter and there is no testing for proper air/fuel mixing resulting in poor performance whereas the best Air intake comes with proper design and testing that mix air and fuel in proper ratio for better combustion and efficiency.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed the article Best Cold Air Intakes for Ford F250/F350/F450 Superduty – Best Buying guide to its entire bits.
We do hope that this article helped you in making a definitive choice when it comes to choosing an Best Air Intakes for your Ford F250/350/450 that boosted the flow rate and hence increase the performance level.
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Vicky Dwaj, Founder and CEO of TrucksEnthusiasts , is an automobile engineer passionate about pickup trucks and accessories. Follow his journey to discover the latest trends in off-road accessories, cars, and truck parts.
