Its the big plastic box that attaches to the throttle body. It's the black box on top the engine in the picture below that says Hemi 5.7 V8. Basically it's only purpose was to tone down engine noise, but it really restricts the air flow robbing you of HP and MPG. Just one of those comfort over performance things.

 

He doesn't live in california so it doesn't matter....California Air Resource Board

 

can you bypass the hemi hat without removing it for a stock look

 

I don't see how you'd bypass it since the throttle body goes directly into it...but maybe you could modify it to make a single tube inside instead of baffles.

 

does the aftermarket intakes remove the hemi hat and if so what ones dont look like crap or it improves the look, I hate when you open the hood and it looks like a elaphant trunk running across the engine bay and empty spots where something obvisouly use to be, thanks for the help

 

Well it's a matter of opinion on whether or not you like how it looks under the hood without the stock setup. I like the way the spectre, AEM, and mopar intake looks under the hood and the mounts for all the stock stuff can be taken out. Here is a pic of my spectre intake w/ a true flow filter on it

 

i just got my $30 ebay intake it the mail and installed it today. I must say, for $40 shipped it is not that bad. all of the couplers seem to fit tight (theyre rubber, and squeeze down... i dont see how they could leak??) The mount is a chinsey peice of crap, and I had to make a little stronger one, but overall it is not that bad for the money.
IMO a pipe is a pipe, unless you are doing other stuff like removing the hemi hat.
the k&n's come with a shield that blocks some of the heat from the motor from entering the intake, but im gunna make one of those.

 

Thanks gents...so it's basically a decision about whether or not I want to keep my hemi hat and kinda do a cold air intake vs. spending a few hundred more and removing the hat and gaining a little more HP. How much HP did you guys get by removing the hat?

 

To spend money on any type of intake without removing the Hemi hat is pretty much pointless. The reason you buy an intake is to get rid of it.

Here's what i have except powder coated red, by far one of the best intakes:

 

^+1. The Hemi hat is restrictive on air intake and to soften the sound...do a search on DF, there is more than enough info to help you make a decision on which system to go with that both fits your needs and budget. There are other options which allows you to keep the hat if that is the route that you want to go. Your truck - your money!!! As far as gained hp...I know K&N offers up their reports, don't know about the others. I went with K&N, and haven't looked back. Others have probably had success with their different intakes, as well. Good luck!