While I'm in the camp of preferring straight-through mufflers like the Magnaflow and Borla for sound and performance over the Flowmaster, I do agree that the OEM airbox on these models is pretty darned good. Here's a huge thread on how to improve it with very little work and money.

http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=63174

 

thanks man! I will for sure be doing this in the next couple weeks!

 

with all the electronics, do we really get any gains from just adding an exhaust and improving the air intake?

 

Good question. The injectors are a certain size to work within a certain margin of demand. The computer has the ability to compensate above the bone stock setup for fuel delivery and other engine demands within limits. What are those limits? I don't know. Over on the drag racing forum, it seems that there is evidence that decent intake and exhaust mods without an aftermarket tuner do produce some extra power. It probably takes a tuner to really get the biggest bump in power our of the mods. Still, an easy filter/intake mod along with a higher flowing muffler is almost a no-brainer. Here's another way to look at it. If the cheap, simple mod to the stock airbox, a K&N drop-in filter, and a higher flow muffler added no power, you'd at least have a much nicer exhaust tone and a filter you never have to throw away. That alone is worth the price of this scenario.

 

I think the stock air box is pretty good. I just put the K&N filter in. maby gave me 1mpg better.

 

thats a pretty decent gain in mpg, is that hwy/in town or a combo of both.

 

just to add my 2 cents been a dodge person for years. put in K&N filter in a few dodge's . the only problem i ever had is that the oil in the filter will get on map sensor and mess the mileage up. less is more.

 

So red ...are you saying it's a bad thing to put in the K & N drop because of the oil in the filter?

 

When you use a oiled filter it takes a little oil to make the filter work. If you put to much oil on the filter it will be sucked off & soak the map sensor & give you problems, possibly map sensor replacement. I am looking at putting good performance dry filters like AFE & Amsoil. But have not bought one as of yet. Hpe this helps.

 

4G Hemi's dont have MAP sensors

 

I just added a K&N drop in filter and a 3/4 inch throttle body spacer and holy crap it works really good and still gave the stock intake system. I also have true dual flowmaster 50 series mufflers on it , my truck sounds like a beast

 

the K & N filter

the K & N filter is great,just need to be aware of the oil getting on the MAP sensor. if i were to put a new one in my 2011 would clean the orginal oil off it and spray it myself lightly.

 

the K & N filter is great,just need to be aware of the oil getting on the MAP sensor. if i were to put a new one in my 2011 would clean the orginal oil off it and spray it myself lightly.

I've bought and installed tons of K&N filters over the years, and I've observed the initial oiling from the factory to be the ideal application. It almost looks like any excess was predried or something. They must have a very precise way of applying that initial oil amount. I've not seen a problem there. I know you can over oil and require cleaning your MAF sensor wire assembly with some contact or carb cleaner on MAF equipped engines, but is the MAP sensor really subject to that issue? I haven't even studied the system on my '12 hemi at this point, but everyone seems to say the Gen 4 models are MAP systems. I've had to clean the MAF wire system on my cargo van one time in 60,000 miles with a K&N installed...probably would have had to clean it some anyway at that mileage. It took about 15 minutes, contact cleaner, and a couple of simple hand tools.

 

I replaced my factory system with the air raid system. Now does it make more power? If it does its minimal no way anyone can say they feel a diffrence. I will say this, it definatly makes the truck sound meaner when you put your foot in it. That said, I find myself with my foot in it alot because it sounds so dam cool.

 

Are you sure BRH about the hemi's not using a MAP sensor? I know the 4.7L does and also thought the hemi did.

I don't see how oil on the MAP could be much of an issue. Either way it could be cleaned off.

I think most people that have issues with this are the people that had vehicles with MAF sensors. Even then, it would tak a lot of oil. If it's oiled properly should be issue free.

I do however use a dry airaid filter just for ease. Just wash with mild dish soap(like dawn) and water, let dry, then re install. I think they call it "synmesh" or something. An extra $5-$10 but to me it's just easier plus then you save by not buying the oil for the filter which cost at least $5-$10 anyway.

On all the foam filters I've ever had (for lawn equipment, other small engine equipment, motorcycles, etc.) I would just clean with dish soap/water then oil with bar and chain oil for chainsaw's, never had issues but again these were foam filter's on carb'd engines. Not sure it would be wise to use bar and chain oil on a K&N type...maybe though...

 

i was going to do a k&n cai on mine, because i had one on my old 03 somona but instead paid a little more and went with the mopar cai system and love it, looks great and sounds very throaty. compliments from my dad, gm guy all the way and from ford guys, sounds great.

 

It was my understanding that the 4x4 trucks with towing package had over sized air boxes so changing them out was futile.

It was that way on the 3rd gen Rams so I just add the drop in filter.

 

I have the K&N drop in with FM 40 and SC cortex. The stock air box design seems more than acceptable. Performance has been awesome with this combination.

 

I have been watching the cai threads for a while now.I have the drop in k&n.I went in to the local Home Depot looking for any kind of duct I could use.What i found was a black,flexible 5" downspout pipe and an adapter to fit into a large downspout to my surprise the end fits right in to my air box.almost perfect.a little duct tape on the inside to seal it and it runs down beside the rad to the space behind the front bumper.noticable gain in sound and power.Cost $22.00.no cutting,looks like it belongs there.I will take pictures tomorrow and post.

 

Can't wait to see the pic's...........this is something I would do.

 

The sound remains as stock.I thought it sounded better but then I realized the lid for the breather box wasnt on right.

 

You're flowmaster didn't add anything but sound...K&N(on top of being overpriced)adds more flow but double the dirt, if you want your truck motor to last don't use them. All you have to do to get a CAI is cut a hole in the bottom of your airbox and keep your original Mopar Hi-flow filter. Simple and free.

 

I disagree, I ran my 2004 4.7L to 127,000 miles with an open K&N intake and had zero problems.

Spreading rumors such as doubling up on the dirt in your engine by using a K&N filter is absurd.

 

I had a 99 Dakota since new and always ran a K&N drop in, I traded it in on the RAM with 132,000 miles on it and it still ran like a top.

I have wondered about extra dirt, but if any I would say its marginal (not double). So the Ram has a K&N drop in as well. For that matter all my cars have had K&N drop in and they all ran/run fine.

 

My truck has 29k miles on it and I just put a K & N drop-in in. I have noticed about a 1-2 mpg increase on my last 3 fillups. I'll take that.

 

So , there seems to be some debate whether a K&N air filter is good or not for the Ram. How will the truck benefit from a drop in K&N? May improve my gas mileage? i like! Will it make it sound different? - Cheers

 

I know this is an old thread but I just put in a K/N Drop in the Ram. After Having one in my 4L Ranger I noticed a 2 MPG (Canadian MPG) increase but no real increase in power but this does not mean its relative to the Drop in Filter so I look forward to seeing the effects on the Hemi.

 

Gentleman,
Wanted to get your opinions on something. I am debating between just buying a K&N Drop in filter vs. the entire cold air intake kit from K&N. I am also installing a flowmaster super 44 in place of the factory muffler.

I know you would think "no brainer" go with the CAI system, but i have read in many places that Chrysler has done a pretty good job with the intakes for the Hemi's on these trucks and if i could just free up some flow with a better Air Filter and save myself some money that would be nice as well. Thanks in advance for any responses!

I just put a glass pack and a k&n drop in in my new ram 1500. Throttle response was VERY noticeable and power increase was extremely noticeable as well. Fuel milage in town didn't change but highway went up average 4 mpg.