S&B Cold Air Intake

[Markh1254]

Hi everyone. I have a question and please forgive my ignorance.

About me: I'm a recent convert (1 month) to the RAM family and a new subscriber to this great group. I purchased a 2017 Tradesman Crew Cab, single rear wheel 4X4 with 41,000 miles on it. Previously I was a Ford man (gasoline) and I am impressed with this truck!

I am not a high mileage driver, in fact the Ford truck that I replaced I bought new in 2002 and it has 42,000 miles on it. I mostly used it to tow a utility trailer with a Rzr or a travel trailer (7500 lb) touring the country.

I have a friend that has a 2016 RAM similar to mine and he is making some changes to his truck and offered me a S&B Cold Air Intake. I have no clue what this does and for that matter, don't know if it is something I want to install.

Does anyone have an experience with this system and can share with me their thoughts?

Thank you.
Mark

 

[lpennock]

Welcome aboard. Fill out your signature so we know what your truck is.

For the Cummins, a CAI is a waste of money. The factory intake can breath to about 2x the amount of stock HP you have. The 3" thick factory (mopar or fleetgaurd) elements hold more dirt and filter better than the after market filters. With that said the S&B is on of the better CAI on the market. Just don't get a K&N.

 

[Jim W]

The factory air box and filter is the best for your truck. I would do a search on aftermarket air filters and boxes on this forum. For the most part the jury verdict is they are a waste of money, even if free! The factory air filter will support up to and including 400+HP. The aftermarket air filters do not filter the air enough to protect your engine and turbocharger. If my memory serves me right the aftermarket filters may filter to 95% efficiency with the factory filter being 99.9% efficient.

Now if you are planning on modify your engine to run over 600HP than an aftermarket filter would be required.

 

[lpennock]

The numbers I have heard is the factory will support about 600HP. The after market filter effecienty runs between 92% (K&N) and 99.8% (S&B https://www.sbfilters.com/cleanable-vs-dry). Every test I've seen on dirt holding before clogging puts the factory element as much as 2x longer life though.

 

[SnoKing]

And the factory system switches between air from the wheel well area to a duct from that grill area, as is needed to warm up the engine faster or provide better performance etc.

One is better off playing with the radio and buttons on the steering wheel, than messing around under the hood beyond checking or changing fluids and filters.

Drive and work it hard and it will be happen.

 

[Markh1254]

Thank you everyone for your input. Being an engineer myself I certainly appreciate the engineering that went into this fine truck!

Mark

 

[Cummins12V98]

YEP, tell him to sell it!

 

[HPSimpson]

Welcome aboard the BEST Cummins site TDR most knowlege folks who know how to maintain your engine to drive One million miles, enjoy!

 

[Randomrunner12]

Sell it or give it back to him to sell. Its not needed and if i learned anything from this site, i wasted a lot of money on parts that weren't needed lol.