C&L Performance HEMI Air Intake System

C&L CAI H400 Parts

Back in 2009, we installed the Mopar Performance Cold Air Intake in an original effort to maintain the purity of Project: Challenger. Since then, the project has deviated a bit and we’re designing it for “everyday power” instead. This has broadened available after-market products significantly, which is both a blessing and a curse given the number of products on the market for 5.7L and 6.1L HEMI engines today. As part of our goal to not let Project: Challenger slide while we restore Mr. Rusty (aka Project: MGB), we made the decision to make a quick change to the Challenger. After looking at some easy-to-replace parts, we noticed that C&L Performance released a new CAI for the modern HEMI. What really grabbed our eye was the notice that this CAI is out-of-the box ready for a 4″ throttle body that we’re hearing may become available. More information on the C&L Performance Hemi Air Intake System is available on their website.

Having selected the C&L CAI as our replacement, we went through the ordering process and found the best price (and free shipping) from Maryland Speed. They were great to work with, very communicative, and quite prompt with the shipment, although we were a bit disappointed with the old-school styrofoam packing peanuts, which go a bit against our parent company’s “Go Green” goal.

Once the new CAI arrived, we jumped right to checking out the new components. The entire unit is significantly weightier than the Mopar CAI, which we’re hoping might mean increased resistance to heat. Additionally, we were surprised to learn in the instructions that the new CAI will actually require modification of the factory lower box assembly. The base of the housing is used to help enclose the filter to pull more air in from outside the hot engine compartment. We’re just lucky that we still have the original intake hanging out in a parts bin… somewhere…

All in all, we’re very happy with the new intake and are looking forward to getting it on the car. There will be a bit of a delay as we need to work our bay time into the schedule and will also be running dyno’s on a few scenarios: (a) the Mopar CAI, (b) the original intake, (c) the new C&L CAI, and (D) the new C&L CAI after DiabloSport programming. We’re currently working to identify a new dyno vendor and will be posting the readings, as well as the installation steps, as soon as possible.