Aftermarket Air Intakes: Should You Get One?

This is a fun one to talk about. An aftermarket intake is what a lot of first time diesel owners first jump to when they go to upgrade their truck and rightfully so. They aren't too complicated to install and can be done right in your driveway here in Yuma, AZ for pretty quick and easy horsepower gains.

Cheap vs. Quality: What to Look For

Now there are things you should look for when going to buy an aftermarket air intake on your truck. If you're already looking for the cheapest option, don't do it, just keep your stock system on. No amazon special is going to give you what you're looking for in regards to an intake. I, at my business, Power Forge Diesel in Yuma, do have my preferences. I always recommend Banks Power air intakes first, and then S&B air intakes second.

Recommendation #1: Banks Power Air Intakes

Banks Power Air intakes, in my opinion, are the best aftermarket intake you can buy for your Powerstroke, Cummins, or Duramax. They have a hype around them, but it is clear why when you jump into the details. Depending on your truck, a Bank's intake will run you in the ballpark of $500. What can you expect with this is: clear install instructions, perfect fit and finish, big air increases, better fuel economy and improved throttle response. The biggest reason I recommend Banks over S&B is because Banks does a lot of development for the MAF/MAP placements so your truck doesn’t throw codes.

Recommendation #2: S&B Filters

S&B makes a great air intake as well. It doesn't perform quite as well as a Banks, but it is very close. This will run you about the same price as Banks. 1 reason we at Power Forge Diesel in Yuma recommend this is for the large view glass to see the filter quality. These systems install cleaning and also look nice in the engine bay. You do run a risk of MAF/MAP related codes with this system, so please choose wisely.

The Downside: Dust & Engine Reliability

The downside of an aftermarket intake is reduced engine reliability. With the increase of air flow, brings better power and efficiency. But unfortunately, the more air you bring in, the more opportunities for dust to get into the engine, especially in our dusty Arizona climate. This is true with any bigger filter regardless of the manufacturer's claim. Here’s a video that goes into depth about this engine dusting: https://youtu.be/NHHdApd_kJk?si=1GnPRPwLDzOOmDWK.

Final Thoughts & Installation

With all things considered, Power Forge Diesel (myself) believes that aftermarket air intakes are worth the money for the performance and efficiency of your engine. We can install them, or you can at home. Make sure to do your research before you buy. If you have any questions give us a call at Power Forge Diesel in Yuma, Arizona (928)888-9685.