Kia Stinger & G70 3.3T Intake: Injen vs K&N vs AEM

A Kia Stinger cold air intake is the single cheapest way to wake up the twin-turbo 3.3T Lambda II V6 – and the exact same upgrade applies to the Genesis G70 3.3T, because both cars run the identical 365-horsepower, 376 lb-ft engine. From the factory, both sedans breathe through restrictive plastic airboxes that choke the turbos up top. Swap in a proper dual air intake and you free up real airflow, sharpen throttle response, and unlock a louder induction and turbo-spool soundtrack. In this comparison we line up the three most popular 3.3T intakes we stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL — the Injen SP Short Ram, the K&N 69 Typhoon, and the AEM Dryflow C.A.S. — with real dyno numbers, filter media, and CARB status so you can pick the right one on the first try.

Why the 3.3T Lambda II V6 Loves a Cold Air Intake

The 3.3-liter twin-turbo “Lambda II” V6 makes 365 hp at 6,000 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque from just 1,350 rpm in both the Kia Stinger GT and the Genesis G70 3.3T. Because it is force-fed by two turbochargers, the engine is highly sensitive to intake restriction: any airflow the factory airbox gives up before the compressor inlet is boost the turbos have to work harder to recover. Unlike a naturally aspirated car that might gain 5–8 hp from an intake, a turbo V6 like this one can pick up meaningfully more because a freer inlet lets the compressors reach target boost sooner and hold it longer.

One detail trips up first-time buyers: the 3.3T has two separate intake tracts, one per cylinder bank feeding one turbo. That is why every quality intake on this list is a dual system with two filters and two heat shields — a single-filter kit leaves half the engine breathing through the stock box. Pair any of these intakes with a supporting tune and downpipes and the 3.3T responds with 400+ wheel horsepower, but even unturned they deliver measurable, dyno-backed gains on their own.

Kia Stinger & G70 3.3T Intake Comparison at a Glance

Here is how the three intakes stack up on the metrics that actually drive the buying decision — estimated power, filter media, emissions legality, and price. The Injen leads on peak power, the AEM is the only one with a current CARB Executive Order, and the K&N splits the difference with reusable filters.

Injen SP Short Ram: The Max-Power Pick

The Injen SP Short Ram is the highest-output intake in this test, adding a dyno-proven +21 horsepower and +18 lb-ft to the 3.3T. Injen was the world’s first company to patent a tuned intake system, and the SP series is its flagship aluminum line — four patents cover the tuning process alone. The mandrel-bent aluminum tubes and dry, oil-free filters deliver the biggest peak-power number here, which is why it is our top pick for Stinger GT and G70 owners chasing every horsepower.

K&N 69 Typhoon: Reusable Filters and a Lifetime Warranty

The K&N 69-5318TS Typhoon is the value-longevity play. It uses a free-flowing, mandrel-bent aluminum intake tube feeding two black rubber-topped, oiled-cotton high-flow filters that drop into the factory airbox spaces behind matching heat shields. K&N estimates roughly +9 horsepower at around 5,250 rpm, installs in about 60 minutes, and is backed by K&N’s No-Hassle Lifetime Limited Warranty. Its washable filters are rated for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings, and this exact part number is one of the few that carries fitment for both the Kia Stinger and the Genesis G70 3.3T under a single SKU.

AEM Dryflow C.A.S.: The CARB-Legal Value Pick

The AEM 21-849DS Cold Air Intake System is the smart-money choice, and the only intake here with a current CARB Executive Order (D-670-26) that makes it 50-state street-legal on the 2018–2021 Stinger 3.3L. AEM dyno-tested it to +17.6 horsepower at 5,770 rpm — nearly Injen-level power for around $400 less. It replaces both the left and right factory intakes with roto-molded tubes, powder-coated heat shields, and cone-shaped AEM Dryflow synthetic filters. Because Dryflow media is oil-free, there is no risk of over-oiling contaminating the sensitive MAF sensors, and the filters are good for up to 100,000 miles before cleaning.

How Much Power Will You Actually Gain?

On an otherwise stock 3.3T, expect the Injen SP to lead with +21 wheel horsepower and +18 lb-ft, the AEM Dryflow to follow closely at +17.6 hp, and the K&N Typhoon to trail at roughly +9 hp. Those are meaningful, dyno-documented numbers for a bolt-on that takes an hour in the driveway — and the torque gains arrive right in the 2,000–4,500 rpm band where you feel daily-driving punch.

The real story, though, is what an intake unlocks once you add a tune. The 3.3T’s twin turbos have headroom the factory calibration never uses, and a freer inlet lets a piggyback or ECU flash push more boost safely. Stack an intake with a downpipe and a tune and the Stinger GT and G70 3.3T routinely make 400–450 wheel horsepower. Buy the intake first; it is the foundation the rest of the build breathes through. Owners who want the full picture can start with our cold air intake collection and add supporting mods from there.

Oiled Cotton vs Dry Synthetic Filters

Filter media is the biggest practical difference between these three intakes. The K&N Typhoon uses classic oiled cotton-gauze filters — excellent airflow and reusable for the life of the car, but they must be cleaned and re-oiled correctly. Over-oiling is the most common DIY mistake, and excess oil can coat the mass-airflow (MAF) sensors and throw a lean or rich code. The Injen SP and AEM Dryflow both use dry, oil-free synthetic media that you simply rinse and dry, eliminating any MAF-fouling risk. For a modern, MAF-metered turbo engine like the 3.3T, dry filters are the lower-maintenance, lower-risk choice, which is part of why the Injen and AEM top our recommendations.

CARB & Emissions: Which Intake Is Street-Legal?

If you live in California or another CARB-emissions state, the AEM Dryflow is the clear answer — it carries CARB Executive Order D-670-26 and is 50-state legal on the 2018–2021 Kia Stinger 3.3L. The Injen SP does not currently hold a CARB EO and cannot be shipped to California; it is a 49-state / off-road part. The K&N Typhoon’s emissions status varies by model year, so verify the EO number against the CARB database for your exact year before buying if compliance matters. Outside CARB states, all three are fully usable and the decision comes back to power, filter media, and budget.