The 5.7 Hemi is a strong engine straight from the factory, but its restrictive airbox leaves easy power and that signature throaty growl on the table. A good cold air intake is the single most popular first mod for Ram 1500, Charger, Challenger, Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee owners running this V8, and for good reason. It frees up airflow, sharpens throttle response, and lets the engine breathe the way the aftermarket intended.
We pulled together the intakes that actually deliver on the 5.7 Hemi instead of just looking good under the hood. Some prioritize filtration for dusty or off-road use, others chase peak airflow and sound, and a few split the difference. Below are seven real options that fit Hemi applications, ranked on fit, build quality, filtration, measured gains, and how much maintenance they ask of you. No fluff, just what works.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake Best Overall Sealed roto-molded tube, washable cotton-gauge filter, CARB legal on most Hemi apps, 10-year/million-mile warranty |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
S&B Cold Air Intake for 5.7L Hemi Best Filtration Fully enclosed airbox, dyno-evaluated airflow, choice of oiled cotton or dry cleanable filter, clear lid |
9.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
aFe Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake Best Airflow Large-diameter roto-molded tube, Pro 5R or Pro DRY S filter, one-piece heat shield, big flow gains |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake Best Build Quality Roto-molded MXP tube, SynthaMax dry or oiled filter, sealed enclosure, made in the USA |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Spectre Performance 9907 Air Intake Kit Best Value Powder-coated steel tube, washable cotton filter, heat shield included, budget-friendly Hemi fitment |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mishimoto Performance Air Intake Best Looks Wrinkle-coated aluminum or carbon-look tube, dry washable filter, sealed airbox, lifetime warranty |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Edelbrock E-Force Competition Air Intake Best for Tuned Builds Large-bore tube, conical high-flow filter, designed to support cammed and supercharged Hemi setups |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake: Best Overall
The K&N 63 Series AirCharger is the intake we reach for first on a 5.7 Hemi because it nails the balance every daily driver wants. It uses a fully sealed roto-molded tube and an enclosed heat shield, so the filter pulls cooler air instead of soaking up engine bay heat the way a naked open cone does. On Ram 1500, Charger and Challenger applications the fitment is essentially bolt-on, and the included hardware lines up without drilling or trimming. You get a noticeably deeper Hemi growl under throttle and crisper response off idle, which is exactly what most owners are chasing.
The honest weakness is the oiled cotton-gauge filter. If you over-oil it during a re-clean, you can leave residue on the MAF sensor and trip a lean or rich code, so discipline at service time matters. It also tends to ride at the upper end of the value range for Hemi intakes, and you are paying partly for the brand. But the combination of a sealed box, a reusable filter, and that million-mile warranty makes it the safest all-around pick for this engine.
- Heat shield and sealed airbox keep intake charge cooler than an open filter
- Washable and reusable cotton-gauge filter rated for long service intervals
- Application-specific tube engineered for Ram 1500, Charger and Challenger 5.7L
Pros: Strong, repeatable airflow gains backed by K&N dyno data; Reusable filter means you clean it instead of buying new ones; Million-mile limited warranty and broad Hemi fitment
Cons: Cotton-gauge filter needs careful oiling to avoid MAF sensor fouling; CARB status varies by exact year and model, so verify your application
2. S&B Cold Air Intake for 5.7L Hemi: Best Filtration
S&B builds the intake to grab if filtration is your priority, and on a Hemi that earns its keep for anyone towing, going off-road, or daily-driving in dusty conditions. The fully enclosed airbox with a clear inspection lid is the standout feature, letting you check filter condition without pulling anything apart. S&B publishes real dyno and airflow numbers for its Hemi kits rather than vague claims, and the build quality of the box and silicone couplers feels a clear notch above bargain intakes.
The trade-off is character. Because the box is so well sealed, this intake is one of the more reserved options for sound, so if you specifically want that loud open-cone roar, you may find it tame. The enclosed design can also be a snug fit depending on the chassis, so give yourself time on install. Choose the dry filter version and you get top-tier protection with zero oiling fuss, which makes this the smart pick for hard-working Hemis.
- Completely sealed box isolates the filter from hot engine air
- Offered with a dry, washable filter that skips oiling entirely
- Clear lid lets you inspect filter condition at a glance
Pros: Excellent filtration efficiency, ideal for dusty or towing duty; Dry filter option avoids any MAF over-oiling worries; Rigid, well-sealed box with premium fit on Ram applications
Cons: Quieter than open intakes if you want maximum induction noise; Larger enclosed box can be a tight install in some engine bays
3. aFe Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake: Best Airflow
When the goal is maximum airflow, the aFe Magnum FORCE Stage-2 is hard to beat on a 5.7 Hemi. Its large-diameter roto-molded tube and high-flow filter are engineered to move serious volume, and the dyno gains aFe publishes for Charger, Challenger and Ram applications reflect that. The one-piece sealed heat shield keeps the charge cooler than a simple clamp-on cone, so you are not trading intake temps for flow. The induction note deepens substantially, which is a big part of why enthusiasts gravitate to this kit.
The catch is that this performance sits at the upper end of the price spectrum for Hemi intakes, so it is a commitment. If you opt for the Pro 5R oiled media you inherit the usual care requirement around re-oiling and the MAF sensor, though the Pro DRY S synthetic option sidesteps that entirely. For a Hemi owner who wants the most flow and the most sound and is willing to pay for it, this is the one.
- Oversized intake tube maximizes flow for the 5.7L V8
- Choice of Pro 5R oiled or Pro DRY S synthetic media
- One-piece sealed heat shield blocks radiant engine heat
Pros: Among the highest measured airflow figures for Hemi intakes; Aggressive intake note that wakes up the V8 sound; Filter media choice lets you tune for protection or flow
Cons: Premium pricing tier within the Hemi intake market; Oiled 5R media needs the same careful re-oiling discipline
4. Airaid MXP Series Cold Air Intake: Best Build Quality
Airaid earns its reputation for build quality, and the MXP Series intake on a 5.7 Hemi feels every bit of it. The roto-molded tube is thick and heat-resistant, the silicone couplers seal cleanly, and the whole assembly has a built-to-last feel that cheaper intakes simply do not match. The sealed enclosure with an integrated airdam directs cooler air to the filter, and the SynthaMax dry filter option is a real selling point because you wash it and reinstall it with no oil and no MAF anxiety.
Where it lands is firmly in the very good but not absolute peak category for raw airflow. If your single goal is the biggest number on a dyno sheet, an airflow-focused kit edges it out. But for an owner who values durability, a tidy install, and worry-free maintenance over the last few horsepower, the MXP is a genuinely excellent choice that you will not have to think about again for a long time.
- Durable roto-molded MXP tube resists heat and cracking
- SynthaMax dry filter option requires no oil at service
- Sealed enclosure with integrated airdam for cool air feed
Pros: Rugged, high-quality construction that holds up over years; Dry SynthaMax media is simple to wash and reinstall; Solid power and throttle gains with a clean factory-plus look
Cons: Gains are strong but not quite chart-topping versus the airflow leaders; Some kits run toward the higher end of the price range
5. Spectre Performance 9907 Air Intake Kit: Best Value
Spectre, a sister brand to K&N, is where smart Hemi owners look when they want most of the benefit without the premium outlay. The 9907 kit pairs a mandrel-bent, powder-coated steel tube with a washable cotton filter and a heat shield, and on the 5.7 it delivers the throttle crispness and deeper note that make a cold air intake worth doing in the first place. The hardware is complete and the install is approachable for a weekend in the driveway with basic tools.
The honest limitation is the heat shield design. It is an open-style shield rather than a fully enclosed box, so it does not isolate the filter from hot air quite as effectively as the sealed S&B or aFe enclosures. In stop-and-go traffic that can mean slightly warmer intake temps. The filter is also oiled cotton, so the usual re-oiling discipline applies. For the value, though, this kit punches well above its weight and is the easiest pick for a budget-conscious build.
- Includes a heat shield to block engine bay heat
- Washable, reusable red cotton high-flow filter
- Mandrel-bent powder-coated tube for a clean install
Pros: Strong value with real airflow and sound gains; Reusable filter keeps long-term running costs low; Straightforward bolt-on install with included hardware
Cons: Heat shield is open style, so it seals less than a full box; Cotton filter is oiled, requiring care at re-cleaning
6. Mishimoto Performance Air Intake: Best Looks
If the engine bay is part of the build, Mishimoto makes the intake people stop to look at. The finishes, including carbon-fiber-look tube options on some applications, genuinely elevate the look under the hood, and the sealed airbox with a dry, oil-free filter means it backs up the style with sensible engineering. The dry filter is a real practical win because you wash it, dry it, and reinstall with zero oiling, so there is no risk of fouling the MAF sensor.
The reality check is fitment and flow. Mishimoto’s Hemi-specific coverage is narrower than the universal-minded filtration giants, so you must confirm your exact year and model before buying. And while it flows well and sounds good, it is tuned more toward a clean, refined result than chasing the absolute highest airflow number. For an owner who wants their Hemi to look as good as it runs, with hassle-free maintenance, it is a satisfying choice.
- Striking finishes including carbon-fiber-look tube options
- Dry oil-free filter that washes and reinstalls easily
- Sealed airbox design with a quality lifetime warranty
Pros: Standout engine bay appearance among Hemi intakes; Dry filter avoids any MAF over-oiling problems; Mishimoto lifetime warranty backs the whole kit
Cons: Hemi-specific fitment is more limited than the big filtration brands; Style focus means flow gains trail the airflow leaders
7. Edelbrock E-Force Competition Air Intake: Best for Tuned Builds
Edelbrock’s E-Force competition-oriented intakes are aimed at the Hemi owner who is past the stock-engine stage. With a large-bore tube and a high-capacity conical filter, this style of kit is built to feed a 5.7 that has a cam, long-tube headers, or a supercharger, where airflow demand climbs well beyond what a factory-style box can supply. The Edelbrock name carries real performance credibility, and the induction sound on a built Hemi is appropriately serious.
The honest caveat is that it is the wrong tool for a bone-stock truck. The open conical layout isolates the filter from heat less effectively than a sealed enclosure, and on a stock 5.7 you will not see the kind of gains that justify it over a sealed daily-driver intake. Its strengths only fully reveal themselves once the rest of the engine has been opened up. Match it to a tuned build, though, and it is exactly the kind of supporting mod that keeps the air supply ahead of the demand.
- High-capacity tube sized to feed modified 5.7L builds
- Conical high-flow filter for maximum induction volume
- Trusted Edelbrock engineering for performance applications
Pros: Flows enough to support cam, headers and forced-induction builds; Backed by Edelbrock's long performance heritage; Aggressive sound that suits a built Hemi
Cons: Open conical design offers less heat isolation than a sealed box; Best gains only show up on a tuned engine, not a stock one
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cold air intake really add horsepower to a 5.7 Hemi?
Yes, a quality cold air intake adds real but modest power to a 5.7 Hemi, typically a handful of horsepower and torque at the wheels on an otherwise stock engine. The bigger, more noticeable benefits are sharper throttle response, a deeper induction sound, and better breathing at higher RPM. The gains grow larger once you add other mods like a tune, headers, or an exhaust, because the intake removes a restriction that would otherwise cap those upgrades.
Will a cold air intake void my Hemi's warranty?
Installing an intake does not automatically void your powertrain warranty thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which means a dealer must prove the part actually caused a failure before denying a claim. To stay protected, keep your receipts, install the kit correctly, and choose a CARB-legal intake if you live in an emissions-regulated state. Many K&N, S&B and aFe Hemi kits carry CARB certification on specific applications, so verify your exact year and model before buying.
Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake on my Hemi?
For most bolt-on intakes on a stock 5.7 Hemi you do not strictly need a tune, since the factory computer can adapt to the extra airflow within its normal range. That said, a custom tune unlocks more of the intake’s potential and lets you dial in fueling and timing for the best results, especially if you have other mods. If you are only adding an intake and nothing else, run it as-is and consider a tune later when you continue the build.
Oiled cotton filter or dry synthetic filter, which is better for a Hemi?
Both work well, and the choice comes down to your priorities. Oiled cotton filters, like K&N’s, can flow slightly more air and are proven over decades, but they require careful re-oiling at cleaning time because over-oiling can foul the MAF sensor and trigger a check engine light. Dry synthetic filters, like S&B’s, Airaid’s SynthaMax, or aFe’s Pro DRY S, wash with no oil and eliminate that risk entirely, which makes them the easier, worry-free option for many owners.
Will a cold air intake make my 5.7 Hemi louder?
Yes, almost all of these intakes make the Hemi noticeably louder under acceleration, producing that signature induction growl as the throttle opens. Open-cone and large-bore designs like the aFe Magnum FORCE and Edelbrock kits are the loudest, while fully sealed airboxes like the S&B run more reserved and refined. If maximum sound is your goal, lean toward an open or large-tube design; if you prefer a subtler note with strong filtration, a sealed box is the better fit.
Our Verdict
For most 5.7 Hemi owners the K&N 63 Series AirCharger is the top pick, balancing strong, repeatable airflow gains, a sealed heat shield, a reusable filter, and a million-mile warranty into the safest all-around upgrade. The S&B Cold Air Intake is our runner up and the one to choose if filtration matters most, with its fully enclosed box, clear inspection lid, and fuss-free dry filter option making it ideal for towing, off-road, or dusty daily duty. Whichever you pick, confirm the exact fitment for your year and model, and your Hemi will breathe, respond, and sound the way it always should have.
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