Best 6.7 Cummins Cold Air Intakes (2007.5-2018) – 2021 Review

| Last Updated: December 24, 2021

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If you are stuck in that annoying phase where you do not want to void your truck’s warranty by upgrading it, but you definitely want your truck to run better and maximize its own power, what can you possibly do?

Well…have you ever considered a cold air intake? Cold air intake systems can work wonders for your truck without voiding its warranty – which is like a dream come true!

Comparison of the Best Cold Air Intakes For 6.7L Cummins

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Banks Patented Air Density Testing
  • Reduces EGTs
  • Lifetime Warranty on Filter Element
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  • Installation will take less than an hour
  • Will boost both truck’s fuel economy and torque
  • Will maximize airflow for more responsive acceleration
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  • Helps bring out the sound of the turbo
  • Will help the exhaust brake function better
  • Provides boosts to both power and fuel economy
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  • Allows turbo sound to be heard more easily
  • Will improve functionality of the exhaust brake
  • Comes with thorough, helpful instructions for installation
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  • Well made of sturdy, high quality material
  • Will boost fuel economy to twenty miles per gallon
  • Comes with detailed instructions with clear pictures
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What Does a Cold Air Intake Do For Your Cummins?

Cold air intakes will revolutionize your engine’s system. Cold air intakes are specifically designed to move your engine’s air filter to the outside of the engine so that it is able to access cooler air. Cooler air is denser than warmer air, meaning it typically contains more oxygen. And as everyone knows, more oxygen = easier combustion. Easier combustion will allow your engine to unlock its hidden power!

New or Upgraded – Why You Should Invest in a Quality Cold Air Intake

If you are not going to go with a quality cold air intake, you may as well not upgrade your truck at all. Here are some of the reasons why:

Higher Quality Material

The whole point of a cold air intake is to take in more cold air (it is even part of the name!), so you want to get yourself an intake system that is made of the kind of material that will not heat up easily. Many of the high quality intake systems on this list have heat seals or other heat proofing mechanisms to keep the air cold.

Warranty Voiding Avoidance

Installing a cold air intake box is one of the only ways to significantly upgrade your vehicle’s engine without voiding its warranty, the way many tuning systems do. But some of the more lower quality air box options will actually still void your warranty – avoid that situation by going with a higher quality choice.

Photo credit: dirtyhookerdiesel.com

Engine Fit

Air intake boxes go on the outside of your engine, and if you have ever looked under your hood, you know there is not a ton of space down there. Many lower quality systems will be on the bulkier side and not be streamlined enough to fit without needing to be cut down. Save yourself the trouble and get a higher quality option.

Aspects to Consider Before Buying

There are some important things to keep in mind when selecting a cold air intake, such as:

Ease of Installation

As mentioned above, getting these products to actually fit into your engine system can be pretty complicated. Make sure you go with a model that comes with detailed installation instruction, and preferably some helpful illustrations as well.

Improved Fuel Economy

The best air intake systems will improve all aspects of your engine, and many will concentrate their focus on improved power. But a truly top notch air intake system will also boost your fuel economy so you can save a couple miles per gallon – which can really add up when you are driving a truck!

Turbo Sound

All right, we get it, this is a more frivolous quality, but that does not mean it is not important! If you are the kind of person who enjoys hearing your truck rev, find yourself an air intake box that will boost your turbo sound in a significant way.

Review of the Best 6.7L Cummins Cold Air Intakes

Armed with some more knowledge about cold air intake systems, let’s look at some actual products:

Best Overall:
Banks Power Ram Air Intake System

Banks Ram Air Intake

PROS

  • Fits well
  • Can choose an oiled or dry air filtration system
  • Easy to install, users report it will take only about twenty minutes
  • Enclosed housing is designed to keep out hot air to maintain high power

PROS

  • None we could find

The Banks Power Ram Air Intake System is a fantastic air intake system that is specifically engineered to focus on delivering significant power gains to your engine. It does this by feeding your engine cooler, denser outside air through a streamlined tubing system to promote maximum air flow.

This system will create 50% more air flow than your stock engine system, and believe us, you will notice the difference immediately. Your engine will become more powerful and will overall run more efficiently and more smoothly.

This system will also reduce exhaust temperatures, meaning the exhaust system on your car will run more effectively as well, and everyone know that a more effective exhaust system means a more effective engine. Plus, this system is the only one on the market with a four and half inch bellows to allow for all possible engine movement.

Bottom Line

The Banks Power Ram Air Intake System is the ideal air intake system for those who really want to beef up their truck’s power. The installation process could definitely be improved by some additional foam, though.

Runner-up:
S&B Cold Air Intake System

PROS

  • Durable
  • Easy to use
  • Aesthetically pleasing finish
  • Creates smoother acceleration
  • Well built of high quality material

PROS

  • Can be complicated to install as it is a bit of a tight squeeze

The S & B Cold Air Intake System is the system for you if you are looking for something that will improve numerous small areas of your truck without voiding its warranty.

Installing the S & B air intake system will boost both your truck’s power and its fuel economy – some users report they were able to get one mile more per gallon on long trips, which is pretty crazy when you think about something that is not that huge of an upgrade to your engine. 

It also helps the exhaust brake function better, and will really bring out the sound of the turbo so your truck will finally sound as powerful as it actually is. Generally, it will just help the entire engine to breathe better, which will make your whole truck run more smoothly.

Bottom Line

The S & B Cold Air Intake System is an awesome system that will result in a number of small improvements that really add up when it comes to engine efficiency. It is a bit of tight squeeze to install this air box, so be forewarned installation may be a bit complicated.

Best for the Money:
AFE Stage 2 Type Cx Cold Air Intake

PROS

  • Improves turbo sound
  • Boosts throttle response
  • Will increase miles per gallon
  • Installation will take less than an hour
  • Comes with a limited lifetime warranty

PROS

  • Will not make a noticeable difference in available power

The AFE Stage 2 Type Cx Cold Air Intake is an awesome air intake system that will produce a wide range of benefits for your truck’s engine. It does this by maximizing airflow throughout the engine, which will most noticeably result in more responsive acceleration.

Additionally, it will boost your engine’s fuel economy and its torque. It boasts an air filter that is just about as big as the space inside the engine will allow, so you know you are getting maximum air filtration benefits when you go with the AFE Stage 2.

It also has a heat blocking shield that will seal to the truck’s engine hood, meaning this system will last you a long, long time. If you are looking for a solid choice in air intake systems, you can’t go wrong with the AFE Stage 2 Type Cx Cold Air Intake.

Bottom Line

The AFE Stage 2 Type Cx Cold Air Intake is a top notch air intake system that will maximize your truck’s abilities and take it to the next level. The only issue is that it does not make a huge difference in terms of available power.   

4. AFE Power Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake

PROS

  • Increases throttle response
  • Will not require any additional tuning
  • Will not void most dealership warranties
  • Comes with good installation instructions

PROS

  • Installation is a pretty tight fit
  • Some users report installation of this box will prompt the check engine light

The AFE Power Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake is a fantastic cold air intake box that will improve your truck’s engine in a variety of different ways. First and foremost, you will definitely notice right off the bat that this air intake will allow the sound of the turbo to be more easily heard.

Additionally, users report that it is really quick at improving the functioning of the exhaust brake. Reports vary on fuel economy, but typically users say this air intake will boost fuel economy by one mile per gallon in the city and two miles per gallon on the highway, which is definitely on the higher end for a new cold air intake box. There is definitely not much to dislike about the AFE Power Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake.

Bottom Line

The AFE Power Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intake is an awesome air intake that will wake your truck right up and give it a voice. Just know that sometimes this box will cause the check engine light to turn on.

5. S&B Filters Cold Air Intake System

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Fits well inside the engine
  • S & B provides good customer service

PROS

  • Does not increase the sound of the turbo as well as other models

The S & B Filters Cold Air Intake System is a great system that will have immediate impacts on your truck, from the moment of installation. Users report that this system will boost their fuel economy to up to twenty miles per gallon, which is practically unheard of for a large truck, especially one on the older side. Installation is simple and straightforward as the system comes with a bolt in application, and S & B provides fantastic instructions with detailed pictures for maximum assistance.

Users report the whole process only took about two hours. It is well made of sturdy material and has a super cool additional feature in that it has a clear cover, so you can actually observe the filter at work. S & B has done it again, setting the standard with this awesome cold air intake system.

Bottom Line

The S & B Filters Cold Air Intake System is a top notch air intake system that is straightforward to install and will improve your truck’s fuel economy noticeably. It does not produce as loud of a turbo sound as other models on this list, though.    

Conclusion

Cold air intakes will be able to revitalize an engine and provide it with a breath of fresh air (literally). Make sure you are keeping in mind what you want most out of a cold air intake system, and choose a system that would work best for you and your needs. You definitely cannot go wrong with any of the options from our list above! 

Sean comes from the forums actually and drives an OBS Ford. He writes fantastic DIYs and knows his way around a camera, too. We keep him caffeinated and away from DPF filters to avoid another rant about recent emissions restrictions.