I have a 2005 HEMI 1500 REG CAB 2WD SHORT BED SPORT. I am just starting to look at doing upgrades inside and out. The very first basic thing is a COLD AIR INTAKE. I have read 100's of different opinions and points of view. Different brands from K&N, INJEN, to VOLANT. I guess I still am looking for some advice on what some of the best cold air intakes on the market are and why ? I have heard that plastic tubing is better than the metal and I wonder if that is true ? I have heard VOLANT I believe uses AMSOIL filters in the intake so it requires no oiling. That sounds nice if its true and the quality is really good. I know there are so many brands and all you hear is K&N, the downside is they are usually $300 + which is rediculous for cold air (mopar is worse at about $435!!!, crazy mopar !!!!). I guess its whats the best for the money, and then whats the best ? WWW.STREETSIDEAUTO.COM This site shows a K&N for oly about $230 which seems to be an awesome buy. Also what are some good exhaust. I am lost on that subject. I see GIBSON, MAGNAFLOW, FLOWMASTER. I see a GIBSON around $470 which seems to be a great buy, and they seem to have a good reputation. So I am also looking for some insight in the exhaust area as well. Thanks !!!! P.S. If there is any other ideas or upgrades that anyone has done to better there dodge vehicle please shoot me one..Looking forward to seeing some answers...

http://c452191.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/i...9x192/9932.jpg $140
http://c452191.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/i...92/57-1533.jpg $228
http://c452191.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/i...9x192/1733.jpg $250
http://c452191.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/i.../77-1533kp.jpg $237

These are a few of the pictures of these cold air intakes. Thanks.

 

Welcome to DF. I will move this to the 3rd Gen Ram section, get you some opinions. (1st Gen Ram = pre-1994 model years, 2nd Gen Ram = 1994-2001 model years, 3rd Gen Ram = 2002-2008 model years, 4th Gen Ram = 2009+)

 

Thanks.....

 

You can make ur own cai for cheap there a how to in DIY...as for exhaust ur goin get alot of different opinions...im running ebay cai and magnaflow exhaust and love it.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-included.html

 

I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 with a hemi. Its a reg cab short bed slt. I am currently looking into a good cai and exhaust. There are so many choices and prices. I have found online a 55 fipk and 77 series from kn for under $240..awesome pricing. But i have read up on this spectre and can get it new for $112 !!!!....why pay an extra $120 ?? And as for exhaust iam leaning towards a gibson with dual side exits around $450 , half price of a magnaflow or flowmaster. So please give me some pointers. And what about a amsoil dry filter ?

 

^ Agreed. I bought a K&N a good 6 years ago for my truck for just over $300 after tax and have since built a good dozen of them or so for other people (a few of them members here). Most I ever put into one is $65 and there is no real measurable difference between how they perform. Lots of posts on how to make one. Just use a good, name brand filter and the rest is cake.

As for the muffler, just don't make the common mistake of freeing up the intake with a CAI and then getting a restrictive muffler because it sounds good. Mufflers with a CFM rate over 400 are considered a decent flowing muffler, 500 CFM are great flowing. Of course, getting a good flowing muffler does you little good if you leave the restrictive factory "Y" underneath.

Look here for CFM rates of some popular mufflers:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...mparisons.html

 

These are awesome feedbacka...thank you. What are ur opinions on spectre brand cai ? And does an aluminum or plastic tube really matter...ive heard so many diff opions on that. People say the aluminim is rigid Gets better airflow and looks better. The plastic stays cooler but has more air reatriction...please help me!!!!....lol

 

Metal tubes hold more heat which means less cold air. Black plastic is the way to go.

None will give you noticeable power gains, but more sound.

As for exhaust, like Hammer mentioned, don't fall for the "F" brand rust prone hype unless you just want the sound.

 

I've got the metal K&N and compared the temp at the sensor at the TB with a 4.7 I had just put a PVC "home made" one in. I know different motor, but the temp diff. was negligible, mine was something like 2* warmer. I don't put much stock in the difference between the two, hell unless you run a TRUE CAI that gets it's air completely from outside the engine bay, you are sucking hot air anyway.

I will say the negative with a metal tube is that it REALLY echoes the flutter and tapping of the EGR valve a LOT more than a plastic tube does. VERY annoying until you get used to it.

Despite the fact that a LOT of guys run the Spectre filters I'm not a big fan. I re-built a broken CAI for a member here a couple years ago. He bought one of ebay ones for about $85 and the weld holding the bracket to the tube snapped, making the entire CAI flop and bang around. We had the opportunity to play around with the filter and an air compressor and it let a LOT of the white powdery residue from cutting the PVC tune we repaced his tube with thru it. A K&N we then bought didn't. Now I know this was comparing a "used" filter with about 4,000 miles on it to a new out of the box one, but I was underwhelmed nonetheless. I think for about $10-20 more there are better filters out there.

If it were me and I was buying one today, I'd opt for a dry filter on the idea of an AEM or Amsoil. Used to be an oil based filter blew a dry filter away, but technology over the last couple years in filter material has the better dry ones filtering just as well as an oil filter while flowing just as well and you don't have to worry about re-oiling it which scares a lot of guys. These newer dry filters usually just require wiping off or maybe a quick shot with an air compressor or a small hand vac...

 

To ixman:
If the cai iSnt really going to show that much hp difference and hammer says its only a +2 temp difference at best, will a plastic tube really matter ? I have heard people complaining there plastic tubes wouldnt hold the filter on, and aluminum tubes had better air flow. Whats ur opinion on actual filters...i hear a ton about spectre ??