Do Cold Air Intakes Really Make More Power?

Takeda Intake Honda Civic

FL5 Honda Civic Type R Takeda Momentum Intake (Part Number: 56-70062)

In the world of aftermarket performance parts, the topic of whether cold air intakes actually make more power is a common debate. The short answer is yes, cold air intakes can make more power, but only if you choose the right one. The distinguishing factor lies in the testing and engineering. While countless products claim horsepower gains, only a properly designed and tested cold air intake system can deliver a noticeable and measurable boost in performance.

At aFe POWER, our engineering and data-based approach ensures that every cold air intake we create delivers more horsepower and torque gains. Extensive flow bench and dyno testing are integral to developing products that really make a difference. In this article, you’ll learn how engineering an oversized airbox and high-flow filter media translates into real gains. Additionally, you’ll learn about our rigorous testing process and see the data that backs up our claims.

Intentional Engineering for More Airflow

Momentum GT Cold Air Intake System w/ Pro 5R Filter for Ford Ranger 24-25 L4-2.3L (t)

Enlarged airbox, overside high-quality filter, high-flow tube, and quality clamps and hardware make an aFe Cold Air Intake

Enlarged Airbox and Tube

Stock airboxes are designed for cost efficiency, emissions compliance, and basic functionality– not performance. This is why aFe engineers use 3D scanning, advanced CAD, and in-house 3D printing to develop enlarged airboxes and tubes. Because we use rotationally molding technology, we’re able to shape our housings and tubes in such a way that allows for unique shapes that fill up your engine bay and maximize the volume of airflow coming in.

Additionally, heat-resistant crosslink-polyethylene material helps keep the heat out and the air cool. As a result, because cooler air is denser, more oxygen can enter the engine, leading to more horsepower and torque you can feel at the pedal. This is where you start to see real improvements in airflow, power, and even sound—all benefits drivers look for in a cold air intake.

aFe's Momentum Intake for the TRX showing all parts include airbox with window, two filters, tubes, couplers, and hardware on white background
Graph showing AFE momentum intake outflowing stock in CFM with oiled Pro 5R performance filter and oil-free dry filter
Airflow test showing aFe Momentum Intake for the RAM TRX outflowing factory airbox by 30% with the Pro 5R filter and 27% with the Pro DRY S filter. 

Why the Air Filter Matters

Factory paper filters are restrictive, so replacing them with a high-flow filter can make a significant difference. Hand-made in-house and built to last the lifetime of your vehicle, aFe filters are available in multiple media types to match your lifestyle and eliminate the need to keep buying disposable paper filters.

aFe’s highest flowing, highest performing filter media – Pro 5R–  features five layers of progressively finer cotton gauze, oiled to trap particles while maintaining strong airflow. In fact, even as a drop-in replacement for the stock filter, this simple upgrade improves airflow. If the filter alone can outperform stock, imagine what’s possible with an optimized airbox and intake tube.

Learn more about high-quality, lifestyle-tailored filter media.

White Toyota Tundra with aftermarket parts on a dynojet in R&D at aFe POWER

2nd Gen Toyota Tundra tested on the in-house dyno in aFe Research & Development shop

The Importance of Dyno Testing

Aftermarket intakes can make more power when they’re engineered, tested, and built correctly. At aFe, we spend months in research and development to ensure not only a perfect fit, seamless integration to your engine for no CELs (check engine lights), and durability for real-world testing. It should be noted that we don’t release an intake unless we can prove it increases horsepower and torque. As an engineering-based company, every intake system we develop goes through in-house flow testing and dyno testing before it ever reaches our customers.

Therefore, on every intake’s webpage, you’ll find published flow charts, dyno charts, and horsepower and torque gains of our testing compared to stock. Learn more about Why We Test at aFe POWER.

Dynamic Air Scoop (D.A.S.) For Intake kits 50-70119D and 50-70119R Toyota Tacoma 24-25 / 4Runner 2025 L4-2.4L (t)

Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70119) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma

Intakes: Just One Piece of the Puzzle 

By upgrading your vehicle’s components one restrictive element at a time, you can unlock the full potential of your build. The best way to get the most power out of a cold air intake is to couple it with other components like exhaust systems, aftermarket charge pipes, or aFe’s safe alternative to ECU tuning, the Scorcher piggyback tuner.
Aftermarket aFe 76mm billet throttle body on the right next to smaller 70mm factory Toyota Tacoma throttle body on white background

70mm Factory Throttle Body Versus aFe 76mm Billet Throttle Body (Part Number 46-39102) for 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma

BladeRunner 2-1/2 IN & 3 IN Aluminum Hot and Cold Charge Pipe Kit Toyota Tacoma 24-25 L4-2.4L (t) Part Number 46-20724-B

Aftermarket Aluminum Intercooler Pipes (Part Number: 46-20724) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma

Dual-Exhaust-Toyota-Tacoma-24-25-Polished-Tip

Vulcan Series 304 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust (Part Number: 49-36078) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma

Real Data, Real Gains: Examples

Below is a list of popular aFe cold air intakes and the horsepower and torque gains they delivered on the dyno.

GMC Sierra 1500 / Chevy Silverado 1500 2.7L (t)

    • Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70042)
    • Dyno: +25 HP horsepower and +30 lbs. x ft. torque
    • Flowbench: +12% increase in airflow
Dyno Chart of aFe Intake for Chevy Silverado 1500

Ford Powerstroke 6.7L Diesel Trucks:

    • The Momentum HD Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70007t)
    • Dyno: +21 HP horsepower and +54 lbs. x ft. torque
    • Flowbench: +32% increase in airflow
Dyno test results of aFe intake on Ford 6.7 Powerstroke

Dodge Charger 6.4L:

    • The Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 58-10003R)
    • Dyno: +16 HP horsepower and +15 lbs. x ft. torque
    • Flowbench: +22% increase in airflow
Dyno chart for V8 6.4 HEMI Challenger and Charger aFe Intake

Toyota Land Cruiser J250:

    • Our Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70127) 
    • Dyno: +15 HP and +17 lbs. x ft. torque
    • Flowbench: +30% increase in airflow
Dyno chart for LC 250 aFe Intake

Honda Civic FL5 Type R

    • The Takeda Momentum Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 56-70062R)
    • Dyno: +19 HP horsepower and +15 lbs. x ft. torque
    • Flowbench: +19% increase in airflow
Dyno chart testing aFe Takeda Cold Air Intake on the FL5 Type R

Your Path to More Horsepower Starts Here

So, do cold air intakes really make more power? The data from our rigorous in-house testing proves that a well-engineered cold air intake, such as an aFe cold air intake, does indeed make more power. By maximizing airflow with smarter designs, using advanced filter technology, and validating every system on our dyno, aFe POWER cold air intakes deliver the horsepower, torque, and increased airflow you’ve been searching for.

Upgrading your vehicle is a journey, and an aFe intake is the perfect first step. Ready to experience a noticeable improvement in power and sound? Unlock your vehicle’s full potential and find the perfect aFe POWER cold air intake for your build.

To see the power gains for the intake of your vehicle, go on aFePOWER.com

Search by Year, Make, Model