The 5.7L HEMI in the Chrysler 300C responds well to breathing mods, and a cold air intake is the easiest place to start. The factory airbox is restrictive and tuned more for quiet cruising than airflow, so swapping it for a free flowing intake wakes up throttle response, adds a deeper growl under load, and on most of these kits frees up a handful of real wheel horsepower. The trick is choosing a design that pulls genuinely cool air and seals properly, not just a loud cone hanging in the engine bay.
We looked at the cold air intakes 300C owners actually buy and run for the long haul, judging each on real airflow gains, filter quality, fitment on the LX/LD platform, heat shielding, and how easy the install is in your driveway. Every kit below bolts to the 5.7 HEMI, uses no permanent cutting, and is reversible if you ever go back to stock. Here are our top seven picks, ranked best first.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
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K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake (63-1561) Best Overall Roto-mold tube, oiled cotton conical filter, heat shield with sealing trim, 50-state CARB legal (E.O.) |
9.5 |
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AFE Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake Best Airflow Gains Sealed one-piece housing, Pro DRY S or Pro 5R filter option, large diameter rotomolded tube |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit (9907) Best Value Aluminum tube, conical washable cotton filter, bolt-on no-cut fitment |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Injen Power-Flow Cold Air Intake (PF8055) Best Heat Shield Design Powder-coated aluminum heat shield, mandrel-bent tube, SuperNano-Web dry filter option |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Volant Cool Air Intake with PowerCore Filter Best Sealed Airbox Fully enclosed rotomolded airbox, PowerCore dry filter, no oiling required |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake Best Heat Isolation Rotomolded tube, sealed airbox, SynthaMax dry or oiled filter options, CARB E.O. on select kits |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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S&B Filters Cold Air Intake (Cotton Cleanable) Best Filtration Sealed airbox, large cotton cleanable filter, high dust efficiency rating |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake (63-1561): Best Overall
The K&N 63 Series AirCharger is the safe, proven choice for the 5.7 HEMI 300C, and that’s exactly why it tops our list. The roto-molded tube is engineered to a specific diameter and shape that keeps airflow smooth into the throttle body, and the large conical filter has the surface area to feed the HEMI without choking it at higher rpm. On the road you feel crisper throttle response and a meatier intake note when you get into it, while part throttle cruising stays civil. The included heat shield with hood-sealing trim is what separates this from a cheap open cone, because it actually keeps hot engine bay air away from the filter.
The honest weakness is the oiled cotton filter. It performs beautifully when maintained, but if you over-oil it after a wash, the excess can creep onto the MAF sensor and trigger rough running or a check engine light. That’s a maintenance discipline issue rather than a design flaw, and dry-filter fans may prefer one of the no-oil kits below. For most owners who want maximum proven gains, CARB-legal status, and a filter that lasts the life of the car, the K&N earns its place at the top.
- Rotational-molded intake tube smooths airflow and resists underhood heat soak
- Reusable oiled cotton gauze filter cleans and re-oils for the life of the car
- CARB E.O. exempt so it stays smog legal in California and emissions states
Pros: Strong, repeatable airflow gains backed by K&N dyno data; Heat shield and edge trim seal cleanly to the hood for a true cold air path; Million Mile Limited Warranty and washable lifetime filter
Cons: Oiled filter needs occasional cleaning and careful re-oiling to avoid MAF fouling; Tube finish is functional rather than the polished show-engine look
2. AFE Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake: Best Airflow Gains
If your goal is the biggest honest airflow number, the aFe Magnum FORCE Stage-2 is the kit to beat. Rather than an open cone behind a shield, aFe builds a fully sealed one-piece housing that draws cool air from outside the engine bay, so the air reaching your HEMI stays denser and cooler under sustained load. The large rotomolded tube and velocity-stack inlet are designed to flow hard at the top of the rev range, which is where the 5.7 wants more air. You can spec it with the Pro DRY S synthetic media for zero maintenance fuss or the Pro 5R oiled cotton for maximum flow.
The trade-offs are price and packaging. This is a more expensive system than most on the list, and the enclosed box is a snugger fit, so the first install takes a little more fiddling to seat everything and route the coupler cleanly. Once it’s in, though, it looks purposeful and seals tight. For owners who want the closest thing to a true sealed cold air system on the 300C and don’t mind paying for engineering, the aFe is outstanding value over the long run.
- Fully enclosed housing isolates the filter from hot engine bay air
- Choice of Pro DRY S synthetic or Pro 5R oiled cotton media
- Large velocity-stack inlet feeds the HEMI strongly up top
Pros: Among the best measured airflow numbers on the platform; Sealed airbox gives a genuine cold air feed, not a fake heat shield; Dry filter option removes any oil-on-MAF worry
Cons: Premium kit that costs more than a basic cone-and-shield setup; Tight install around the box requires patience on first fit
3. Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit (9907): Best Value
Spectre is owned by K&N and shares a lot of the same filter technology, which is why the 9907 kit delivers so much for so little. You get a clean aluminum intake tube, a big washable conical cotton filter, and the couplers and hardware to bolt it onto the 5.7 HEMI without cutting anything. The sound improvement is immediate, a fuller induction roar when you open the throttle, and throttle response sharpens noticeably over the muffled factory box. For owners who want a real airflow upgrade without spending big, this is the smart starting point.
The compromise is heat management. The 9907 leans toward an open-element design, so in stop-and-go summer traffic the filter sits closer to engine heat than the sealed aFe or the shielded K&N. On the move, ram air and underhood airflow keep temperatures reasonable, and the gains are real. If you want maximum cold air isolation, step up the list, but if you want the best blend of price, easy install, and a washable lifetime filter, the Spectre is hard to argue with.
- Mandrel-style aluminum tube with a clean factory-style coupler fit
- Reusable conical cotton filter washes and reuses for years
- True bolt-on install with hand tools, no cutting or drilling
Pros: Excellent gains for the money from a K&N-owned brand; Simple, fast install that most owners finish in under an hour; Washable filter keeps long term running costs low
Cons: Open element runs warmer than a fully sealed airbox in heavy traffic; Less heat shielding than the premium kits above
4. Injen Power-Flow Cold Air Intake (PF8055): Best Heat Shield Design
Injen built its reputation on intake engineering, and the Power-Flow shows it on the 5.7 HEMI 300C. The standout is the powder-coated one-piece heat shield, which does a genuinely good job of walling off the filter from radiant engine heat so the air entering the tube stays cooler than an exposed cone would allow. The mandrel-bent tube keeps a consistent internal diameter through the bends, which helps airflow stay smooth and the throttle response stay sharp. Opt for the dry SuperNano-Web filter and you never have to think about oiling or MAF fouling again.
Where Injen makes a deliberate choice is the balance between sound and peak power. Some Power-Flow configurations are voiced for that signature induction howl, which enthusiasts love but means peak airflow numbers can trail the aFe Stage-2 slightly. Filter servicing is also a touch fiddly once the shield is bolted down. None of that’s a dealbreaker, and for owners who prioritize a quality heat shield, clean looks, and a no-maintenance dry filter, the Injen is an excellent buy.
- One-piece powder-coated heat shield blocks radiant engine heat
- Mandrel-bent tube preserves diameter through every bend for clean flow
- Available with dry SuperNano-Web filter that needs no oiling
Pros: Heat shield is one of the best engineered on the platform; Dry nano filter avoids MAF oil contamination entirely; Looks tidy and professional under the hood
Cons: Some kit versions tune for sound over outright peak airflow; Filter access is a little tight once the shield is mounted
5. Volant Cool Air Intake with PowerCore Filter: Best Sealed Airbox
Volant takes the sealed airbox idea seriously, and on the 5.7 HEMI the Cool Air Intake gives you a fully enclosed rotomolded box that locks the filter away from underhood heat. Inside sits a Donaldson PowerCore dry filter, which uses a self-cleaning media design that handles dust impressively well and never needs oiling. The result is consistently cool, clean air to the throttle body even in summer traffic, and a filter that stays effective in dusty conditions where an open cone would clog faster. It’s the most fuss-free cold air feed on this list.
The character of the Volant is different from the cone kits. Because the box is sealed, the induction note is more subdued, so if you’re buying an intake mainly for that aggressive roar, this will feel tame. The box is also fairly bulky, and the 300C engine bay isn’t roomy, so plan your routing during install. But if you want the genuine benefits of cold, filtered air with zero filter maintenance and rock-solid build quality, the Volant is a quietly excellent choice.
- Sealed rotomolded box completely isolates the filter from hot air
- PowerCore self-cleaning dry media handles dust without oil
- Rugged box doubles as protection in dusty or off-pavement use
Pros: Outstanding cold air isolation thanks to the fully closed box; PowerCore filter needs no oil and resists clogging well; Tough construction that shrugs off engine bay abuse
Cons: Quieter intake note than open-cone kits, which sound chasers may dislike; Bulky box can feel snug in an already busy 300C engine bay
6. Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake: Best Heat Isolation
Airaid is a long-standing name in HEMI intakes, and the MXP series brings a sealed airbox design that prioritizes heat isolation. The enclosed box pairs with a rotomolded tube to deliver cool, dense air to the 5.7, and you can choose the SynthaMax dry media if you want to skip filter oiling altogether. Owners consistently praise Airaid fitment and the solid feel of the components, and on the 300C the kit installs cleanly with hand tools while looking like it belongs there. The gains are real and, just as importantly, they hold up in hot weather thanks to the sealing.
Two things to keep in mind. First, CARB legality depends on the specific part number, so if you live in California or another emissions state, verify the E.O. listing before you buy. Second, this is a premium sealed-box kit, so it sits at the higher end alongside the aFe and Volant rather than the value end. For owners who rate consistent cold air and dry-filter convenience above the loudest possible sound, the Airaid MXP is a dependable, well-built option.
- Sealed MXP airbox keeps hot engine air away from the filter
- SynthaMax dry media option means no oiling and no MAF worries
- Select kits carry a CARB E.O. number for emissions states
Pros: Excellent heat isolation from the enclosed box; Dry filter choice keeps maintenance simple; Strong reputation for fitment and durability
Cons: Confirm the exact part number for CARB legality in your state; Premium pricing similar to other sealed-box kits
7. S&B Filters Cold Air Intake (Cotton Cleanable): Best Filtration
S&B made its name protecting diesel engines in punishing dusty conditions, and that filtration-first philosophy carries over to its gas HEMI kits. The standout here’s the oversized filter, which is engineered to deliver strong airflow and high dust efficiency at the same time, so you aren’t trading engine protection for power the way some open cones do. The sealed airbox keeps the filter away from engine heat, and the large media area means the filter goes longer between cleanings while holding airflow steady. If long-term engine protection matters as much as gains, S&B leads the field.
The cleanable cotton version is an oiled filter, so the same caution applies as with K&N: re-oil lightly and evenly after washing to avoid any oil reaching the MAF sensor. The box is also on the larger side, which can make for a snug fit in the 300C engine bay, so route carefully during install. For owners who want the cleanest combination of airflow and serious filtration, especially if you drive dusty roads, the S&B is a smart, protective upgrade that still wakes up the 5.7.
- Oversized filter prioritizes filtration efficiency and airflow together
- Sealed box with clear or solid lid keeps hot air out
- Cleanable cotton media reuses for the life of the vehicle
Pros: Very high dust filtration efficiency protects the engine; Big filter resists clogging and holds airflow over long intervals; Sealed enclosure gives a genuine cold air feed
Cons: Cotton version is oiled, so re-oil carefully to protect the MAF; Larger box can be a snug fit in the 300C bay
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does a cold air intake add to a 5.7 HEMI 300C?
On its own, a quality cold air intake on the 5.7 HEMI typically frees up a modest but real gain, often in the single digits at the wheels depending on the kit, the weather, and your altitude. The bigger wins are usually felt rather than seen on paper: sharper throttle response, a stronger pull at higher rpm, and a much more satisfying intake sound. Pair the intake with a tune, a catback exhaust, or better headers and the combined gains grow meaningfully, because the intake lets the engine breathe in while the rest of the package helps it breathe out.
Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake on my Chrysler 300C?
For most bolt-on cold air intakes you don’t strictly need a tune, since the factory ECU adapts to the extra airflow through the MAF sensor and fuel trims. The 300C will run fine and you’ll still feel the improvement. Still, a tune is the single best way to unlock the full potential of the intake by optimizing fuel and timing for the new airflow, and it also smooths out drivability. If you plan to stack other mods, budgeting for a handheld tuner later is a worthwhile next step.
Will a cold air intake void my 300C warranty?
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States, a manufacturer can’t void your entire warranty just because you installed an aftermarket part. They can, however, deny a specific claim if they prove the part directly caused the failure. To stay protected, choose a reputable intake, keep your receipts and install records, and pick a CARB E.O. exempt kit where required so it’s street legal in emissions states. Reversible, no-cut intakes like the ones on this list also let you return to stock easily before a dealer visit if you prefer.
Are oiled or dry filters better for the 5.7 HEMI?
Both work well, and the choice comes down to your maintenance style. Oiled cotton filters, like those on the K&N and S&B kits, tend to flow extremely well and are washable for the life of the car, but you must re-oil them carefully after cleaning or excess oil can contaminate the MAF sensor and cause rough running. Dry synthetic filters, like aFe Pro DRY S, Injen SuperNano-Web, or the PowerCore media, skip oiling entirely and remove any MAF worry, at a small cost in ultimate airflow. If you want zero fuss, go dry.
Are these cold air intakes hard to install on a Chrysler 300C?
No, every kit on this list is a true bolt-on with no cutting or drilling, and most owners finish the job in their driveway in roughly thirty to sixty minutes with basic hand tools. You remove the factory airbox and intake tube, then mount the new tube, filter, and any heat shield or box, transferring over the sensors and reconnecting the couplers. The most important steps are seating every clamp tight so there are no air leaks and reinstalling the MAF sensor in the correct orientation. Disconnect the battery first if you want the ECU to relearn cleanly afterward.
Our Verdict
For the 5.7 HEMI Chrysler 300C, our top pick is the K&N 63 Series AirCharger, which blends proven, repeatable airflow gains with a hood-sealing heat shield, CARB-legal status, and a washable lifetime filter that makes it a buy-once upgrade. If you want the absolute best sealed cold air feed and the strongest airflow numbers, the aFe Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 is the standout runner up and well worth the step up. Whichever you choose, you’ll give your HEMI the deeper breath it deserves and a sound to match.
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