The eTorque Trap: How to Buy the Right Cold Air Intake for Your RAM 1500
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You just popped the hood on your 2019–2026 RAM 1500. You are staring at a massive, incredibly restrictive plastic factory airbox that is suffocating your engine and completely silencing your exhaust note.
You want to hear the legendary growl of your 5.7L Hemi (or hear the turbo spool on your new 3.0L Hurricane), so you go online to buy a Cold Air Intake. But you immediately run into a major fitment roadblock: "Does not fit eTorque models."
What exactly is eTorque, and why does it completely ruin intake fitment?
The eTorque system is RAM's mild-hybrid technology. If your truck has it, there is a massive silver motor-generator unit bolted right to the very top of the engine block. Because of this large unit, standard aftermarket intake tubes from older Hemi models will physically crash right into the generator.
To safely upgrade your truck, you need an intake system explicitly engineered with a custom-molded tube to route around the eTorque system.
In this guide, we break down exactly how to identify if your truck has eTorque, explain the massive performance difference between a fully enclosed aFe Power airbox and a loud, open-element K&N system, and help you find the exact intake to wake up your heavy RAM.
Compare Premium Intake Systems
Maximum Sound, or Maximum Cold Air?
|
Intake System |
Top Brands |
Box Design |
Best For |
|
Momentum GT |
aFe Power |
Fully Enclosed. |
Performance. Seals against the fender to block hot engine air. Provides the best actual horsepower and torque gains. |
|
63 Series AirCharger |
K&N Engineering |
Open Element. |
Maximum Sound. Features an open heat shield that exposes the massive filter. Delivers an incredibly loud, aggressive V8 growl. |
|
MXP Series |
Airaid |
Semi-Closed. |
Balance. A massive one-piece rotational-molded airbox that balances deep sound with excellent thermal protection. |
|
Blackhawk |
K&N Engineering |
Open Element. |
Sleek Looks. Features a blacked-out metal intake tube and a black dry synthetic filter for a stealthy under-hood aesthetic. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Cold Air Intakes)
Will installing a Cold Air Intake void my RAM's factory powertrain warranty?
No, you are protected by federal law.
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealership cannot void your vehicle's warranty simply because you installed an aftermarket intake from a reputable brand like aFe or K&N. The only exception is if the dealer can definitively prove the intake caused a specific failure (for example, if you installed the filter incorrectly and the engine sucked in a massive amount of dirt).
Do I need to "tune" my truck after installing one of these intakes?
No, they are 100% bolt-on and go.
All of the intakes in this premium collection are designed to operate perfectly on the factory RAM computer calibration. The mass airflow sensors will automatically adjust to the increased volume of cold air. However, if you want to maximize the horsepower gains from your new intake, pairing it with an SCT Performance handheld tuner is highly recommended.
Which makes more power: an Open Airbox or a Closed Airbox?
A Closed Airbox (like the aFe Momentum GT).
While an open-element intake (like the K&N 63 Series) sounds incredibly loud and aggressive, it is more susceptible to sucking in hot, less-dense air radiating from the engine block. A fully enclosed airbox grabs air strictly from the cold outside fender well, delivering a denser air charge to the engine, which translates to better sustained horsepower and lower intake gas temperatures (IGTs) when towing.
Feed the engine.
Ditch the restrictive factory plastic and unleash the induction roar your truck deserves. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 RAM 1500 Cold Air Intakes.