Cold Air Intake Buyer's Guide: The Best CAI for Your 2022 Dodge Challenger
Cold air intakes are the #1 first mod for a reason. This guide covers what to look for, which brands deliver real gains, and how your engine size changes your options.
# Cold Air Intake Buyer's Guide: Best CAIs for the 2022 Dodge Challenger
The cold air intake is the single most popular first mod for Dodge Challenger owners — and for good reason. It's cheap, takes less than an hour to install, delivers real measurable power, and sounds great. But not all intakes are created equal, and the right choice depends on your engine.
What Does a Cold Air Intake Actually Do?
Your factory air box pulls air from inside the hot engine bay. Hot air is less dense than cool air, which means fewer oxygen molecules per cubic foot — and your engine can only make power if it has oxygen to burn fuel with.
A cold air intake does two things:
- Moves the air filter outside the hot engine bay, pulling cooler air from near the wheel well or front of the car
- Uses a larger-diameter tube and less-restrictive filter, reducing the resistance (restriction) in the intake path
The result: more oxygen, better combustion, more power.
How Much Horsepower Will You Actually Gain?
This depends heavily on which engine you have. The Hellcat (6.2L supercharged) benefits most because the supercharger is starving for airflow — any improvement to the air path helps enormously.
| Engine | Trim | Best HP Gain | Best Torque Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L V6 | SXT | +12–18 HP | +15–22 lb-ft |
| 5.7L HEMI | R/T | +10–17 HP | +12–20 lb-ft |
| 6.4L HEMI | Scat Pack | +15–18 HP | +15–22 lb-ft |
| 6.2L SC HEMI | Hellcat | +25–37 HP | +22–36 lb-ft |
These numbers assume a quality intake from a reputable brand with dyno-verified gains. Budget intakes claiming "+50 HP" are lying to you.
Sealed vs. Open Intake: What's the Difference?
Open Intake (exposed filter): The filter sits in the open engine bay. More airflow at low speeds, but the filter is exposed to engine heat, especially after the car has been running. Can heat-soak during stop-and-go traffic.
Sealed/Enclosed Intake: The filter sits inside an enclosed box or "air box" that shields it from engine heat. Maintains cooler, more consistent temperatures. Better for daily driving and warm climates.
Which should you choose? If you live somewhere hot or do a lot of city driving, go sealed. If you're focused on maximum peak power and track days, open is fine.
Top Cold Air Intake Brands for the Challenger
aFe Power Momentum GT / Magnum FORCE
Best overall. aFe does serious dyno testing and publishes real numbers. Their Momentum GT series (sealed) and Magnum FORCE Stage-2 (semi-open) are both excellent. The carbon fiber Track Series option for the Hellcat is genuinely beautiful and functional.
- Gains: Up to +17 HP on 5.7L, +18 HP on 6.4L, +37 HP on Hellcat
- Filter type: Washable/reusable Pro Dry S or oiled
- Price: $300–$600 depending on trim
JLT Performance Cold Air Intake Series 2
Best for mid-range torque. JLT focuses on where you actually feel power day-to-day — in the mid-range where you spend most of your time on the road. Very popular community choice.
- Gains: +12–16 HP, strong torque curve
- Filter type: Oiled cotton gauze
- Price: $300–$450
K&N Typhoon Series
Best brand recognition. K&N has been in the performance air filter business longer than most, and the Typhoon series is a solid, well-fitting intake. Not the highest gains, but bulletproof reliability and K&N's legendary filter quality.
- Gains: +10–15 HP
- Filter type: K&N oiled cotton gauze (washable/reusable)
- Price: $350–$500
BBK Performance Cold Air Intake
Best value. BBK makes a clean, simple intake at a lower price point than the premium brands. Install takes 30 minutes, no special tools, and gains are real if modest.
- Gains: +8–14 HP
- Filter type: Conical filter included
- Price: $200–$350
Mopar Performance Cold Air Intake
Best for warranty-conscious owners. Mopar's factory-designed intake is a legitimate upgrade over the stock airbox while keeping you in OEM territory. Gains are lower, but it won't void your warranty.
- Gains: +6–10 HP
- Filter type: OEM-spec filter
- Price: $300–$450
Does a Cold Air Intake Require a Tune?
No — but you should get one anyway.
The intake will work fine without a tune. You'll feel and hear a difference immediately. But the stock ECU tune is calibrated for the stock intake. When you put on a higher-flowing intake, the ECU is still running conservative fuel and timing maps designed for the old setup.
With a tune that's written to match the new intake, gains increase significantly:
- CAI alone: +12 HP on 5.7L
- CAI + tune: +25–35 HP on 5.7L
If you're planning to get a tune (and you should), do the intake first so the tuner can account for it.
Installation: What to Expect
Most cold air intakes for the 2022 Challenger are direct-fit, bolt-on installations:
- Tools needed: Screwdrivers, 8mm and 10mm sockets, hose clamps
- Time: 30–60 minutes
- Skill level: Beginner-friendly
- What you're doing: Remove the factory air box and intake tube, install the new tube and filter, reconnect all sensors (MAF, IAT)
Watch out for: The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor transfers from your stock intake to the new one. Handle it carefully — it's sensitive.
Will It Trigger a Check Engine Light?
Rarely, and if it does, it's usually temporary. The ECU may briefly run lean as it adapts to the increased airflow. This self-corrects, or a tune fixes it permanently. Sealed intakes are less likely to trigger CELs than open filters.
Summary: Which Should You Buy?
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Best performance for Hellcat | aFe Carbon Fiber Track Series |
| Best value all-around | aFe Momentum GT or JLT Series 2 |
| Budget-conscious | BBK Performance |
| Keeping warranty | Mopar Performance CAI |
| Hot climate / city driving | Any sealed design (aFe Momentum GT) |
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