Next Level Performance
September 30, 2026 • 9 min read
The best cold air intake for a Dodge Challenger is the cheapest real horsepower you can bolt on in an afternoon, and the off-season is the perfect time to do it. A high-flow intake feeds your 5.7L, 6.2L, or 6.4L Hemi cooler, less-restricted air than the factory airbox – typically worth 5 to 15 rear-wheel horsepower naturally aspirated, and more on a tuned Hellcat. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, the Challenger and Charger crowd shops intakes harder than almost any other bolt-on, so we lined up five of the best across every engine and price point to help you finish your winter build list.
Our Verdict
The aFe Momentum Black Series Carbon Fiber is the best cold air intake for the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
Its fully sealed carbon-fiber airbox and 5-layer Pro 5R filter flow far more than stock and shrug off underhood heat – aFe advertises up to +18 hp. On a budget, the Injen Evolution and Corsa Apex deliver most of the gain on the 5.7L R/T for around $400.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why the Off-Season Is the Best Time to Add a Cold Air Intake
The off-season is the best time to install a cold air intake because your Challenger is already parked more than it is driven, so the downtime costs you nothing. Most of these kits install in 30 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools – loosen a couple of clamps, unbolt the factory airbox, drop in the new tube and filter, reconnect the sensor, and you are done. Knock out your intake alongside winter maintenance like an oil change, fresh plugs, or a battery tender, and the car wakes up in spring already making more power. It is the highest fun-per-dollar mod on the LX/LC platform, and doing it now means no lost drive time when the roads dry out.
The aFe Momentum Black Series seals the filter inside a carbon-fiber airbox to keep intake temps down.
How Much Horsepower Does a Challenger Cold Air Intake Add?
A cold air intake adds roughly 5 to 15 rear-wheel horsepower on a naturally aspirated 5.7L or 6.4L Hemi, with the largest gains on the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat once it is tuned. The factory airbox is deliberately restrictive for noise and emissions; a larger mandrel tube, a high-flow filter, and a sealed or shielded design let the engine breathe. The numbers scale with displacement and boost: expect a modest but real bump on the 3.6L V6, a solid mid-range and top-end gain on the 5.7L R/T and 6.4L 392, and the biggest jump on a Hellcat where more airflow directly feeds the blower. Every one of these Hemis also picks up a deeper, more aggressive intake growl under throttle – the sound alone sells most owners. Pair the intake with a custom tune to squeeze out every last horsepower, especially on forced-induction cars.
The 5 Best Dodge Challenger & Charger Cold Air Intakes
We picked one standout intake for every Challenger and Charger engine – the 6.4L 392, the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat, the 5.7L R/T (in both an open and a sealed-box design), and the 3.6L V6. All five are in stock at NLP Performance and ship to your door.
1. aFe Momentum Black Series Carbon Fiber – Best Overall (392 / SRT8 6.4L)
The aFe Momentum Black Series is the intake to beat on the 6.4L 392 and SRT8. A one-piece carbon-fiber airbox fully seals the massive Pro 5R filter away from radiant engine heat, and clear inspection windows let you check the element without pulling the lid. It flows dramatically more than the stock box, aFe advertises up to +18 horsepower on its own dyno, and it is easily the best-looking intake on this list. At around $1,300 it is a premium buy, but it is the right one for a serious 392 build.
What We Like
- + Fully sealed carbon-fiber airbox blocks hot underhood air
- + Large 5-layer Pro 5R filter flows well above the stock box
- + Show-quality carbon lid and aFe limited lifetime warranty
Things to Consider
- – Priciest intake here at around $1,300
- – Oiled Pro 5R filter needs occasional re-oiling at cleaning
2. aFe Momentum GT Pro DRY S – Best for the Hellcat (6.2L)
On the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat, airflow is everything, and the aFe Momentum GT feeds the blower with a huge dry, oil-free Pro DRY S filter inside a sealed housing. It is the smart pick for owners who want serious flow without the maintenance of an oiled element, and with a supporting tune it can be worth up to +25 horsepower. Around $522 makes it a bargain relative to what it unlocks on a Hellcat.
The aFe Momentum GT feeds the Hellcat supercharger through a sealed dry-filter housing.
3. Injen Evolution – Best Value (5.7L R/T)
For the high-volume 5.7L R/T, the Injen Evolution delivers most of the airflow gain of the premium kits for about $420. Its oil-free SuperNano-Web dry filter cleans with soap and water and never needs re-oiling, and the roto-molded tube is a clean, no-fuss install. Expect around +10 horsepower and a noticeably deeper Hemi note. If you want the best power-per-dollar on an R/T, this is it.
4. Corsa Apex DryTech 3D – Best Sealed Box (5.7L R/T)
If you like the R/T but want a fully enclosed OE-style airbox, the Corsa Apex is the pick. Its DryTech 3D filter uses a dry, oil-free 3D-printed-style media, and the sealed metal box isolates the filter from hot air for consistent intake temps. It carries a limited lifetime warranty and is currently on sale from $456.50, making it a premium sealed design at a mid-pack price of about $398.
The Corsa Apex uses a sealed metal airbox and an oil-free DryTech 3D filter on the 5.7L R/T.
5. Injen Power-Flow – Best for the V6 (3.6L Pentastar)
V6 Challengers and Chargers respond to breathing mods too, and the Injen Power-Flow is the standout for the 3.6L Pentastar. Its MR-Tech tube and heat-shield design keep the washable filter fed with cooler air, good for roughly +8 horsepower plus a sharper throttle response and a polished look under the hood. At around $461 it is the way to give a 3.6L a real personality upgrade.
The Injen Evolution is the value pick for the 5.7L R/T, with a washable oil-free dry filter.
Top Pick Key Specs — aFe Momentum Black Series
Dodge Challenger Cold Air Intakes Compared
Here is how all five intakes stack up by engine fitment, filter type, estimated horsepower gain, and price. Prices update live from our store, so what you see is current.
| Kit | Engine Fit | Filter | Est. Gain | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aFe Power Momentum Black Series Carbon Fiber Pro 5RTop Pick | 6.4L 392 / SRT8 | Oiled Pro 5R, sealed CF box | Up to +18 hp | $1,329.00 |
| aFe Power Momentum GT Pro DRY S | 6.2L Hellcat | Dry Pro DRY S | Up to +25 hp (tuned) | $522.00 |
| Corsa Performance Apex DryTech 3D Metal Intake | 5.7L R/T | Dry, sealed metal box | ~+10 hp | $398.40 |
| Injen Evolution Cold Air Intake | 5.7L R/T | Dry SuperNano-Web | ~+10 hp | $419.52 |
| Injen Power-Flow V6 Intake (Polished) | 3.6L V6 | Washable, heat shield | ~+8 hp | $461.03 |
How to Choose the Right Intake for Your Challenger
Start with your engine, then decide on filter style and budget. Match the kit to your 3.6L, 5.7L, 6.2L, or 6.4L – every intake here is engine-specific, so confirm your year and trim on the product page. For filters, dry oil-free media (aFe Pro DRY S, Injen SuperNano-Web, Corsa DryTech 3D) is the low-maintenance choice: wash with soap and water, no re-oiling, and no chance of over-oiling the MAF sensor. Oiled cotton like the aFe Pro 5R can flow a touch more but wants careful upkeep. Sealed airboxes (aFe Momentum, Corsa Apex) keep intake temps lowest; open designs are simpler and sound the loudest. On the naturally aspirated Hemis these run safely on the stock tune, but a custom tune maximizes gains on any engine and is strongly recommended on the Hellcat.
Installation is genuinely beginner-friendly, which is why the off-season is such a natural fit. Each of these kits is a direct bolt-on that reuses the factory sensor and mounting points – plan on 30 to 60 minutes with a socket set and a flat-blade screwdriver, no cutting or drilling. Disconnect the negative battery terminal first, transfer the mass-airflow sensor to the new tube, and torque the clamps evenly so you do not crush the coupler. If you are doing the work in an unheated Florida garage on a cool December morning, let the car warm up afterward and check for any codes; a properly installed intake should throw none. Do it now, and your Challenger is dialed in and ready the moment the roads open up in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cold air intake add horsepower to a Dodge Challenger?
Yes. A cold air intake typically adds about 5–15 rear-wheel horsepower to a naturally aspirated 5.7L or 6.4L Hemi Challenger, and more on the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat once the ECU is tuned. Gains come from a larger-diameter tube, a high-flow filter, and cooler, less-restricted airflow than the factory airbox. A supporting tune unlocks the biggest numbers, especially on forced-induction cars.
Which cold air intake is best for a 392 Scat Pack Challenger?
For the 6.4L 392 and SRT8, the aFe Momentum Black Series Carbon Fiber Pro 5R is our top pick. Its fully sealed carbon-fiber airbox isolates the filter from underhood heat, it flows substantially more air than the stock box, and aFe advertises up to +18 horsepower on its dyno. It is the priciest option at around $1,300 but the best-built and best-looking.
Do I need a tune after installing a Challenger cold air intake?
A tune is not required on the naturally aspirated 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi – these intakes are designed to run safely on the factory calibration. However, a tune is strongly recommended on the supercharged Hellcat to fully realize the airflow, and any Hemi will make more power and run cleaner with a custom tune dialed in for the new intake.
Are oiled or dry cold air intake filters better for winter builds?
Dry, oil-free filters like the aFe Pro DRY S, Injen SuperNano-Web, and Corsa DryTech 3D are the easier choice for most owners: they clean with soap and water, never need re-oiling, and eliminate the risk of over-oiling a mass-airflow sensor. Oiled cotton filters such as the aFe Pro 5R can flow marginally more but require careful maintenance.
Will a cold air intake fit a Charger and a Chrysler 300 too?
In most cases, yes. The Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300 share the LX/LC platform and the same engines, so most of these intakes are cross-listed to fit all three by engine – 3.6L V6, 5.7L, 6.2L, or 6.4L. Always confirm your exact year, engine, and trim against the fitment listed on the product page before ordering.
Why install a cold air intake in the off-season?
Winter is the ideal time to install a cold air intake because the car is often parked or lightly driven, so downtime costs you nothing. Install takes most enthusiasts 30–60 minutes with hand tools. Knock it out over the off-season with your other bolt-ons and the car is ready to make its best power the moment spring driving season returns.
Build Your Challenger This Off-Season
Shop cold air intakes for every Hemi and thousands more performance parts at NLP Performance.
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