Have you ever felt that your engine was overheating due to the lack of proper air filtration? Well, this is actually a pretty common problem among the owners of larger vehicles (SUVs and trucks). That’s especially true if you’re a fan of off-roading behind the wheel of, say, the F-150. The reason is pretty obvious: the stock gear can’t generate enough airflow to be effective in the most challenging situations.
So, in this post, our focus will be on the best cold air intake for 6.0, 6.4, 6.7, 7.3 Powerstroke Engines. It’s important to mention that these are all diesel engines manufactured by Ford, one of the biggest US-based automotive companies. For easy navigation, I broke down the list into four comparison tables – one for each powertrain. Go ahead and check them out!
Best Cold Air Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke (Updated October, 2023)
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Best 6.0 Powerstroke Cold Air Intake Review
1. K&N Cold Air Intake for Powerstroke 6.0
Along with the obvious improvement of the airflow in the engine compartment, the K&N cold air intake will also give you a nice HP-torque boost. Even if you’re not a big fan of off-roading, this increase in powertrain will still be greatly appreciated by your vehicle. Another good reason to consider this air kit is the market-leading protection against debris/contamination.
That will significantly prolong the life of the 6.0 engine and help you avoid costly maintenance. Add an excellent longevity guarantee, and you’ll see why K&N is one of the obvious leaders in this field. Sadly, while the installation is mostly straightforward, some drivers claim the mounting holes don’t line up. So, be ready to do some drilling or pay a mechanic to do that for you.
Looking for an air intake system that’s easy to clean, improves performance, and protects against debris? Then K&N’s offer might be exactly what you need. While the installation might be a bit challenging, that’s well-compensated by the company’s generous longevity guarantee.
2. Spectre Performance Air Intake Powerstroke 6.0L
Most regular drivers don’t even know that an aftermarket air intake can improve the engine sound. Well, it can, and the Spectre system adds a rather satisfying “growling” characteristic, especially during acceleration. I would also like to mention the superb build quality and the premium-grade parts. Aluminum tubing and the high-performance and long-lasting synthetic filter make it a worthy purchase.
Easy installation and maintenance (the filter can serve up to 100K miles without any cleaning) are part of the deal as well. Plus, you’ll get all that at a very reasonable price, which is always great news. The only downside – there are some (minor) quality control issues. I’m talking about missing bolts/nuts, dented boxes, and things like that.
Spectre’s engineers did a solid job with this air intake for the 6.0-lit Powerstroke engine. It’s easy to install/maintain, makes the engine sound like that of a sports car, and boasts above-average parts and construction quality.
3. SUPERFASTRACING 6.0 Powerstroke Air Intake Kit Replacement
Still not really sure which one of these three air intake systems to get for your Ford vehicle? Well, if you put affordability and ease of use first, Superfastracing might be an obvious choice. It’s one of the least expensive third-party air kits available right now, and its performance is quite impressive. It improves the airflow by 64% (an excellent result) and comes with all the necessary installation hardware.
Sadly, to compensate for that low price, the engineers had to sacrifice the material quality a bit. It’s not horrible, of course, and this kit will serve you for years. Still, it’s a bit behind the competition. So, it’s up to you to choose between build/material quality and affordability.
Drivers in the market for a low-budget replacement air intake system should pay attention to what Superfastracing has to offer. The Powerstroke cold air kit comes packed with all the bolts, nuts, and bushings necessary for the installation. And, it substantially improves the airflow.
Best Cold Air Intake for 6.4 Ford Powerstroke (Updated October, 2023)
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Best 6.4 Ford Powerstroke Cold Air Intake Review
1. K&N Cold Air Intake for 6.4L Powerstroke
The 6.4-lit V8 is a very powerful engine – it can be quite a challenge to keep it cool. That’s especially true if you live somewhere in Florida or other hot and humid states. The good news is – with an aftermarket air intake like the one by K&N, you won’t have to worry about overheating. On top of that, it provides a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque, which means more power and towing capabilities.
The company offers three different configurations to choose from. Check them all, and only then commit with your dollars. The bad news is – no matter which one you end up picking, the price-tag will be quite steep. It’s not over the top, but still higher than the market average.
Despite the not-so-low-budget price, K&N’s cold air intake is a keeper. It boosts the HP/torque, keeps the engine compartment nice and chilly, and boasts a state-of-the-art aerodynamic tube. Oh, and it’s available in different colors and filter configurations, giving you freedom of choice.
2. S&B Cold Air Intake for 6.4 Powerstroke
Cotton cleanable, or dry extendable – that’s what S&B has to offer with this filter for the 6.4 engine. They were both specifically designed to handle extreme temperatures (we’re talking about up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Plus, you can forget about the annoying check engine lights: this air kit successfully eliminates them. S&B ships the air kit in all 50 American states, including California (known for its strict laws).
There’s one downside, though, and it has to do with the installation. Depending on your vehicle and model year, it may not be a perfect/flawless fit. Some drivers say they had to do some trimming and even drill in new holes for this new air intake system to fit. If won’t be a problem if you can handle some basic tools, however.
The minor fitment issues are this cold air intake’s biggest con. The pros, in turn, include fast shipment in every corner in the US and superb performance in extreme temperatures. Besides, this air kit avoids the check engine lights and features high-quality silicone parts.
3. aFe Power Magnum Cold Air Intake for 6.4 Powerstroke
This next aftermarket air intake is all about technology and premium-grade materials/parts. For example, the intake tube is roto-molded and CAD-designed. In simpler terms, it has superior volumetric airflow efficiency compared to the stock system. Next, the heat shield is powder-coated and won’t rust over time. The one-piece design makes it sturdy and long-lasting.
The installation won’t be a problem either. It’s pretty straightforward: no drilling, cutting, or bending will be required. I didn’t notice any big changes in fuel efficiency, though. And while this isn’t what you’d necessarily expect from an air filter, it’d still be nice to see some improvements in that regard.
You won’t get any significant improvements in the MPG ratio with aFe’s Power Magnum. On the bright side, it will be an easy installation. The market-leading intake tube and heat shield, in turn, make it an even more reasonable investment for the regular owner of the 6.4 V8.
Best Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke Engine (Updated October, 2023)
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Best 6.7 Powerstroke Engine Cold Air Intake Review
1. S&B Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke
Can’t decide which one is better – a dry filter, or an oiled one? With S&B, both configurations are available. All you’ll have to do is read on to learn more. The oiled air intake implements robotics for applying just the right amount of oil. As for the dry filter, it is incredibly durable and reliable. No matter which one you choose, premium material quality will always be a part of the picture.
Just don’t expect a dramatic gain in horsepower or torque (or fuel-efficiency, for that matter). It’s still there, but not on par with some of the leaders. The airflow boost is decent, though, and that’s always the most important thing when talking about third-party cold air intake systems.
Although the HP/torque gains are average at best, this air intake kit is still a bargain. It features high-grade materials, can be bought with either a dry or an oiled filter, and, overall, carries decent value. For most regular drivers, that should be more than enough to consider buying it.
2. aFe Power Magnum Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke
To appeal to a wide range of potential customers, aFe packs three different filters with the Magnum Force air intake kit. You can either go with a three-, five-, or 7-layer filter. The biggest selling point is, of course, the 360-degree nature of all three filters. That gives an excellent boost to the airflow (64% more efficiency compared to stock gear). Add an incredible torque boost (80 pound-feet of torque), and you’ll get yourself a safe bet.
Sadly, the price-tag is slightly above the “comfort” zone for most Powerstroke owners. Yet, given the quality of the separate parts, the top-notch filters, and the torque efficiency, it will be money well spent. It all depends on whether you’re ready to pay for all that or not.
The steep price-tag is this cold air kit’s most significant downside. At the same time, the performance “perks” are very impressive and you won’t be disappointed by how Power Magnum behaves in real-world situations.
3. K&N 6.7 Powerstroke Cold Air Intake
Is airflow efficiency the most important thing for you in an air kit? Or maybe it’s the growling engine sound that scares the birds away? Good news: you’ll get all of that with this K&N cold air intake. It changes the engine’s sound a lot and makes it more aggressive, exactly how we all like it. The airflow efficiency reaches 50%, by the way, which is a very good result.
And you won’t have to worry about the installation process. It’s a bolt-on, OE installation: the whole thing won’t take more than an hour (even less for an experienced driver). Just remember to throw the rubber foot away and get a decent one online/at a local store. The one that comes with this kit isn’t at all reliable.
Effortless installation, great airflow, and a snarling tone are K&N’s biggest selling points. It comes with all the necessary hardware, too, but the rubber foot is a piece of junk. Switch it for an aftermarket one and you’ll be alright.
Best Cold Air Intake for 7.3 Powerstroke (Updated October, 2023)
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Best 7.3 Powerstroke Cold Air Intake Review
1. Spectre Performance 7.3 Powerstroke Cold Air Intake
Of the three third-party air kits for the 7.3 engine, this is the cheapest one. And, it’s backed by Spectre’s will-not-void warranty. On top of that, it provides excellent protection against all types of contaminants (mostly debris, of course). These three pros – the price, the warranty, and the protection – make it a worthy investment for any Ford vehicle with the 7.3-lit Powerstroke.
It may get a bit noisy, however, especially on a busy highway. It’s more of a humming sound than anything else, but some drivers are frustrated by these types of sounds. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll probably appreciate what Spectre managed to achieve with this cold air intake system.
If you’re searching for a replacement air kit that’s backed by a warranty, protects the engine from debris, and is available at a low price, this will be a safe bet for you. It’s not particularly quiet, but that’s a rather small price to pay.
2. K&N Cold Air Intake for 7.3 Powerstroke
In contrast to the previous cold intake, this one is all about that aggressive growling. It’s not humming, hissing, or anything like that. Instead, it makes the engine sound really mean (in a good way). It’s also very durable, thanks to top-quality materials and construction. You won’t have to take care of the filter, either. Maintenance is only required every 100K miles (and it will take you a lot of time to reach that threshold).
And let’s not forget about the 10-year/million-mile warranty. K&N is calling it the ultimate longevity guarantee, and there’s no denying that. It won’t be a simple fit, however. To bolt everything in properly, you will have to drill new holes. Furthermore, the hose clamps are smaller than they need to be.
If not for the installation/fitment issues, this K&N air intake could’ve been a perfect choice. It will still be a reasonable investment thanks to the generous warranty, aggressive sound, and durable construction.
3. aFe Cold Air Intake for 7.3 Powerstroke
More airflow, more HP/torque, and more protection – that’s what aFe is promising with the Force air intake. Compared to the stock system, it is, indeed, more efficient, and will make sure to keep the engine compartment safe from overheating and debris. Add top-notch powder coating (safeguards from debris) and straightforward installation, and you’ll see why this air kit is so popular.
Speaking of the installation process, I gotta warn you about faulty sealing. The top of the air sealer may not be sealed properly, depending on the shipment you receive. A decent-quality silicone sealer should do the trick for you. Now, at the end of the day, you’ll most likely enjoy this cold air intake.
aFe’s aftermarket air intake is all about airflow efficiency and proper powder coating. It’s also an easy fit, but the sealing at the bottom might be faulty. Check that before hitting the road if you want to avoid accidents on the road.
Conclusion
If you’re a bit worried that your stock gear won’t be able to “handle” all the hot air generated by the engine, you might want to invest in an air intake system. These usually don’t cost a fortune, but will greatly increase your powertrain’s lifespan, which will save you that repair money in the long run. Today, we reviewed 12 market-leading third-party cold air intake kits.
I did a lot of research before coming up with this list and personally tested every single product. So, if you’re the proud owner of a Ford pickup truck or SUV, they’ll be right up your alley. Just don’t rush yourself and make a habit of considering all the pros and the cons before paying for any aftermarket gear/accessory you like. Drive safely, and I’ll see you next time!
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