Best Cold Air Intakes for 2021-2022 Ford Bronco EcoBoost

A cold air intake is the single easiest bolt-on for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco, and it is the first upgrade most owners make on both the 2.3L and 2.7L EcoBoost engines. The factory airbox is deliberately restrictive — swapping it for a high-flow intake frees up throttle response, adds a turbo-spool whistle you can actually hear, and reclaims a handful of horsepower and torque. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, the aFe and Roush kits below are the ones Bronco owners ask for by name, and every one of them bolts in with hand tools in under an hour.

Why a Cold Air Intake Is the First Mod for a 2021-2022 Bronco

A cold air intake is an aftermarket air-induction system that replaces the Bronco's restrictive factory airbox with a larger, higher-flow filter and a smoother intake tube to feed the EcoBoost turbos more air. On a turbocharged engine like the Bronco's 2.3L and 2.7L, the compressor is always hungry for air, so reducing intake restriction lets the turbos reach boost a touch quicker and hold it more consistently — which is why intakes are the first mod for this platform.

The numbers are honest but modest. aFe rates its Momentum GT Pro 5R at up to +16 horsepower and +25 lb-ft of torque on the 2.7L, with a claimed 35% increase in airflow over the stock system (a measured 315 CFM at 7" of water). On the 2.3L, aFe rates the Momentum HD at up to +13 hp and +20 lb-ft with roughly 27% more airflow. Those are manufacturer figures measured on their own equipment — real-world dyno results are usually smaller — but the gains you feel most are quicker throttle tip-in, a stronger mid-range pull, and an audible induction growl under boost. For context, the factory 2.7L V6 makes 330 hp and 415 lb-ft on premium fuel (315 hp / 410 lb-ft on regular), while the 2.3L four makes 300 hp and 325 lb-ft on premium (275 hp / 315 lb-ft on 87 octane).

2.3L vs 2.7L EcoBoost: Which Intake Fits Your Bronco?

The engine under your hood decides which intake you buy — the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 use different airbox geometry, so the kits are not interchangeable (with one exception below). Check your window sticker or the badge on the fender before ordering.

• 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (twin-turbo): Choose the aFe Momentum GT Pro 5R for the biggest claimed gains, or the Roush Cold-Air Induction if you want a tuner-brand kit.
• 2.3L EcoBoost I4: Choose the aFe Momentum HD Pro Dry S for a sealed, maintenance-free system, the Roush kit, or the aFe Magnum FLOW drop-in filter on the tightest budget.
• Either engine: The Roush Cold-Air Induction kit is designed to fit both the 2.3L and the 2.7L, which makes it the simplest choice if you are not sure which engine you have. Note it does not fit the smaller Bronco Sport.

The Best Cold Air Intakes for the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco

1. aFe Momentum GT Pro 5R — Best for the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (Top Pick)

The Momentum GT Pro 5R (part number 50-70081R) is the intake to beat on the 2.7L twin-turbo Bronco. aFe builds it around a fully sealed one-piece housing that blocks hot engine-bay air and pulls cooler air through a factory-style inlet, then feeds it to an oversized conical Pro 5R filter. aFe rates the system at up to +16 hp and +25 lb-ft with a 35% airflow increase (315 CFM at 7" of water) over the stock airbox. The Pro 5R media is washable and reusable, so it is a buy-once part. One honesty note: this kit is not CARB-compliant and is not legal for sale or street use in California — a common trade-off on maximum-flow intakes.

2. Roush Cold-Air Induction — Best Dual-Engine Kit

Roush's Cold-Air Induction kit (part number 422233) is the practical choice for anyone who wants one part number that works no matter which EcoBoost is under the hood — it is engineered for both the 2.3L and the 2.7L on 2021-2023 Broncos. The washable filter offers roughly 30% more filtration area than the factory element, and the Roush name carries weight with Blue Oval owners because the company has built and warrantied Ford performance packages for decades. At around $440 it undercuts the aFe V6 kit while still delivering the airflow and intake-sound upgrade most owners are after.

3. aFe Momentum HD Pro Dry S — Best for the 2.3L EcoBoost (Budget Full Intake)

For the 2.3L four-cylinder, the Momentum HD Pro Dry S (part number 50-70082D) is the value sweet spot at around $435 — under $600 and the best full-system option for four-cylinder Broncos. The key difference from our top pick is the filter media: the Pro Dry S is a dry synthetic element, so it never needs to be oiled, there is no risk of over-oiling the mass-airflow sensor, and cleaning is as simple as a rinse and air-dry. aFe rates the 2.3L system at up to +13 hp and +20 lb-ft with roughly 27% more airflow. It is the fit-and-forget choice for a daily-driven, trail-duty Bronco.

4. aFe Magnum FLOW Pro 5R Drop-In Filter — Smallest-Budget Upgrade

Not ready to spend $400-plus? The aFe Magnum FLOW Pro 5R drop-in filter (part number 10-10401R) is the cheapest way to add airflow to a 2.3L Bronco at around $71. It is a washable high-flow panel filter that drops straight into the factory airbox — no tube, no housing, no cutting — so you keep the stock sound and a 10-minute install. The gains are smaller than a full intake, but it is a smart first step and the filter is reusable for the life of the truck.

Ford Bronco Cold Air Intake Comparison

Here is how the four 2021-2022 Bronco intakes stack up at a glance. The deciding factor is almost always your engine and whether you want a maintenance-free dry filter or a maximum-flow oiled one.

Installation, Tuning & What to Expect

Installing a cold air intake on the 2021-2022 Bronco is a genuine driveway job. A full system such as the aFe Momentum GT takes about 45 minutes to an hour with basic hand tools — you loosen the factory clamps, unplug the mass-airflow sensor, lift out the stock airbox and tube, then bolt the new sealed housing into the factory mounting points and transfer the MAF sensor over. The drop-in filter is a sub-15-minute swap. No cutting or drilling is required on any of these kits.

You do not need a tune for any of these intakes — they are designed to run safely on the factory calibration, and the Bronco's ECU adapts to the extra airflow on its own. That said, if you later add a tune or an intercooler, the intake you installed today keeps feeding the turbos the air a more aggressive calibration demands, so it is a logical first building block. A quick, honest expectation check: on a stock Bronco you will feel sharper throttle response and hear more induction noise under boost more than you will see a big seat-of-the-pants power jump. The real numbers show up when the intake is part of a larger package.

One buying reminder: match the part to your emissions situation. The aFe Momentum GT Pro 5R is not CARB-compliant, so California-registered Broncos should look at CARB-exempt options or a drop-in filter instead. Everywhere else, all four kits are street-friendly bolt-ons. Browse the full range of intakes for your Bronco in our cold air intake collection.